Aggressiveness leads to injury

[faithnchrist33]

Hi everyone. My name is Michelle and this is my first time on BYC. I never in a million years thought I would own a chicken... let alone 13 of them, lol. Five of them are chicks that were just hatched on May 20th and all of them are black silkies. My main concern though is that since they hatched we have one hen that is overly aggressive toward another... and she has gotten hurt as you can see by the picture. It was completely shut yesterday but shes managed to open it up some on her own. It breaks my heart seeing her like that b/c she is so sweet. I held her this morning and she made the sweetest flutter type noises like she was happy and knew she was safe in my arms. We did separate the aggressive one to ensure the safety of all the others, but right now my concern is Bella. Will that heal and will her hair grow back that was plucked out of her? Also, how long will the territorial aggressive behavior last from the other one? Prior to the chicks arrivial, they NEVER fought! I would greatly appreciate feedback, opinions, and some advice. Thanks so much

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

Wow, this is awful. I am so sorry. Aggression can stem from being too cramped, bored, hot or just having a cranky hen. You will need to keep the bully separate and completely out of view of the flock for weeks in hopes of curing her of her aggressive behavior. Do not let her bully any of the others. If after a few weeks she is still aggressive, you can eat her, rehome her. Pinless peepers are always an option.

Make sure you have 5 square feet per bird in your coop, 10 square feet per bird in your run. Give them things to go to keep them from picking on each other....hanging veggies or cabbages, seed pecking blocks, ladders, mirrors, flakes of alfalfa hay, get them out to free range, etc...

For now, keep this one separate but within the flock for now. Maybe in her own cage until she heals. If she has any open wounds, you can use some antibacterial ointments or blu-kote on her. Keep the bully out and away from the flock for 3 or 4 weeks. But do not let her bully the flock.

I hope this bird heals up soon.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Anti bacterial eye ointment or drops would probably help the attacked hen. Broodiness is a hormonal thing, and some hens do become aggressive when broody.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Sorry about your hen, you've gotten some good info above on aggression and treating her. You might also post on the Emergencies forum about her, that skin is rather odd looking to be strictly the result of another bird going after her. https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

 

[drumstick diva]

I agree with Kelsie, her skin looks like mange or maybe staph infection I have seen on dogs.

 

[gander007]