2 hens fighting

[Ccort]

They are three years old and were raised together. The last few days, they've been getting into fights 1-2 times a day. The pecking at each other's facing, jumping up with wings out, kind of fighting. The last two weeks, they've had more free ranging than normal so space isn't an issue!

I have six hens in total, no roos and these fights have been while free ranging. No idea what the cause is and they've never had issues with one another before! Any advice on how to handle this? Any specific info on how to react when they are fighting? I've been stopping them and worry they'll hurt one another.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I'm really surprised they would do this while free-ranging! Curious to see what someone knowledgeable would do. As for me (and my ooga-booga style of chicken keeping), I would give them a verbal warning when you see them starting to size each other up, then I'd spritz in the face with water (if it's not too cold out). Works great for cats and dogs, so why not chickens? A good rooster would break up the fight, but I'd be reluctant to stick my hands in there!

 

[Ccort]

I'm really surprised they would do this while free-ranging! Curious to see what someone knowledgeable would do. As for me (and my ooga-booga style of chicken keeping), I would give them a verbal warning when you see them starting to size each other up, then I'd spritz in the face with water (if it's not too cold out). Works great for cats and dogs, so why not chickens? A good rooster would break up the fight, but I'd be reluctant to stick my hands in there!

I'm surprised too, after after having gotten along really well all their lives.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I'm surprised too, after after having gotten along really well all their lives.

I've had two bonded chickens turn on each other overnight. It's one of my least favorite parts of chicken-keeping; they're just so unpredictable at times. Sorry you're going through this. I know how stressful it is.

 

[Ccort]

I've had two bonded chickens turn on each other overnight. It's one of my least favorite parts of chicken-keeping; they're just so unpredictable at times. Sorry you're going through this. I know how stressful it is.

I hope they will stop

 

[rosemarythyme]

If they're not injuring one another, just let them have at. The pecking order could be changing, one bird might be feeling more hormonal (i.e. thinking of going broody). Usually I just stop and watch, and so does the rest of the flock, and the hens duke it out until one wins or one submits to the other and flees, then things quiet down again.