9 month old pullet very weak, not eating or drinking

[Wyorp Rock]

Ok, I know it's been almost a year since I updated this thread. As far as the possible ocular mareks, all is well. No one has come down with any sickness or issues since Peggy last year. However, about three weeks ago, my husband was outside mowing and called me to come outside, quickly. The flock was beating and attacking Peggy, the original bird in question from post #1. They scalped her and she was bleeding pretty badly. So, I separated her and treated her for her injuries. She is healing great, no issue with her wound and she is eating and drinking and laying. She is in my garage by herself. I thought I could put her back in with everyone and see how they did with her, after two weeks of treatment by herself. Well, they all went after her again, right away. I mean, attacking and trying to kill her. I snatched her back up and put her back in the cage. So, now I'm torn on what to do. I have no issues culling a bully but when it's five chickens attacking one, I'm not going to cull my whole flock. But I don't want to cull Peggy either because it's not her fault everyone is attacking her. So, do I try to put her in the run with everyone, her in the cage and see how they react? Do I build her her own coop and she lives in there alone but can see the others? I can't give her away because of her possible mareks, besides, I really like her and want to keep her. She can't live in my garage forever. What are your thoughts, if anyone is still watching this thread?

I'm sorry to hear she was attacked. Glad she is recovering though.

That's a hard call when everyone has started attacking her. You can try caging her within the run to see how it goes, but I'd make sure the cage is secured/covered with wire to the point she cannot stick her head through nor can the others stick their head inside the cage. Especially her, you don't want her head to be accessible for fear they may crab a hold of her. I know it's not a good thought, but chickens can be brutal to one another.

Having a coop of her own...she may like that. After an attack, she may not be that keen on rejoining the flock and it may be easier for you to care for her as well. And you don't have to worry about her being attacked by the flock.

 

[LaFleche]

I don't think she would be comfortable caged in the run with the bloodthirsty flock surrounding her cage just waiting for an opportunity to kill her

Her own small coop and run would be my choice, within sight but far enough from the flock to not feel intimidated.

 

[tripletfeb]

I'm sorry to hear she was attacked. Glad she is recovering though.

That's a hard call when everyone has started attacking her. You can try caging her within the run to see how it goes, but I'd make sure the cage is secured/covered with wire to the point she cannot stick her head through nor can the others stick their head inside the cage. Especially her, you don't want her head to be accessible for fear they may crab a hold of her. I know it's not a good thought, but chickens can be brutal to one another.

Having a coop of her own...she may like that. After an attack, she may not be that keen on rejoining the flock and it may be easier for you to care for her as well. And you don't have to worry about her being attacked by the flock.

I don't think she would be comfortable caged in the run with the bloodthirsty flock surrounding her cage just waiting for an opportunity to kill her

Her own small coop and run would be my choice, within sight but far enough from the flock to not feel intimidated.

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking on Ebay and Amazon for decent priced coops

 

[tripletfeb]

Well, I did something I swore I would never do. I bought a prefab coop. Yes, it's tiny. Yes, it's gonna be harder to clean out. Yes, I will have to modify it a bit. Yes, it's only for Peggy and maybe one other. I have one girl who ran from everyone when they were attacking Peggy and she gets along with her so might have her live with Peggy. I wanted a covered run because of the snow load in the winter. It's surprisingly hard finding a cheaper prefab with a covered run. We plan on putting this new coop in the garden area because it's already fenced even though it does have hardware cloth around it. But plan on letting each set of girls in the chicken yard every other day so we'll see what happens. New coop should be coming on Monday the 12th

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Well, I did something I swore I would never do. I bought a prefab coop. Yes, it's tiny. Yes, it's gonna be harder to clean out. Yes, I will have to modify it a bit. Yes, it's only for Peggy and maybe one other. I have one girl who ran from everyone when they were attacking Peggy and she gets along with her so might have her live with Peggy. I wanted a covered run because of the snow load in the winter. It's surprisingly hard finding a cheaper prefab with a covered run. We plan on putting this new coop in the garden area because it's already fenced even though it does have hardware cloth around it. But plan on letting each set of girls in the chicken yard every other day so we'll see what happens. New coop should be coming on Monday the 12th

I think that will work. Yes, it's small, but you're using it for 1-2 hens.
I'm sure you can modify it a bit if necessary. Perhaps give it another coat of durable outdoor paint at some point in the future to help it last longer.

If needed, in the future or as budget allows (always!). Look into the "chicken coop kennel" on Amazon. Many different sizes of course and various price points. But you could put the small coop inside of the kennel to give them a bigger "run" if alternating days becomes a hassles and also cover it with a tarp for some rain/snow protection. I'm sure it'd need to be fortified as well, but it'd give you a "skeleton" to work with.




https://www.amazon.com/NUGRIART-Chi...efix=chicken+coop+kennel,aps,107&sr=8-27&th=1

 

[tripletfeb]

I think that will work. Yes, it's small, but you're using it for 1-2 hens.
I'm sure you can modify it a bit if necessary. Perhaps give it another coat of durable outdoor paint at some point in the future to help it last longer.

If needed, in the future or as budget allows (always!). Look into the "chicken coop kennel" on Amazon. Many different sizes of course and various price points. But you could put the small coop inside of the kennel to give them a bigger "run" if alternating days becomes a hassles and also cover it with a tarp for some rain/snow protection. I'm sure it'd need to be fortified as well, but it'd give you a "skeleton" to work with.




https://www.amazon.com/NUGRIART-Chicken-Poultry-Water-Resident-Anti-UV/dp/B0CQYN96GG/ref=sr_1_27?crid=2TQO9ROZ1TZ07&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6937bbVPJSwzPea_iGN1nEucwg1Zj1zIzuH4fyLSvLNxzmyRY-6Ka6OV6EmnqCiH_fDKMGVosqEDAi6mILWY1-r0GI-JDJBak1dltjwzclqNKDWE1DvCj1dREgnea0oA69Wu_nNqQGIyriWN99vHueITOwc5JD1L0hDIcErl2cUtrFXtuMwgOgCXIwnMRPF0WHooZRDa6xOIy5e_Dut6wbxxQ3r295kLHvk90Xj468MrZQw4PYKdz_g_uVijIU2rzfKFPXiJs0nujrSA7TUm14-mIKTZpGVfzbOpHE-061c.BGhoM-_gGL5erQkVVo9MgrBBQhF1BpZXCuQlSmUbRD8&dib_tag=se&keywords=chicken+coop+kennel&qid=1746417696&sprefix=chicken+coop+kennel,aps,107&sr=8-27&th=1

Will keep this in mind, thanks!