Alienation?

[smuchypuff12]

We have 12 different breed hens and one rooster. Two of our hens have been alienated to the coop. One at a time. The first has a hurt leg ( we don't know how it happened) and won't come out of the coop. We make sure she is fed and watered. We have gotten the second one out a couple of times but all of the others harshly peck her and she runs back into the coop. We understand the pecking order but she has been in the coop for weeks now. What to do?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How old are your birds? And what does you set up look like? Size? Any free ranging, or confined to the run?

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[Pork Pie]

Hello and welcome to BYC but sorry to hear of your issues. You may wish to post on this forum - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/managing-your-flock.2/ and remember to include responses to the questions asked by oldhens

 

[sunflour]

glad you have joined us, but so sorry about the two being bullied.

Do post the question as above recommended. Also information on how long you have had each and how you integrated them to begin with will help get advice.

Any injured hen will be pecked - it is IMO better to separate those until they are well before placing them with the others. Good luck with all, hope the problems settle down soon.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC!
We are glad you joined.
This video should help you learn your way around the site, enjoy!

I'd separate them too.

 

[smuchypuff12]

How old are your birds? And what does you set up look like? Size? Any free ranging, or confined to the run?

 

[smuchypuff12]

we have had them for roughly 3 years now, we got them from someone so we don't know exactly how old they are. The one in question is solid black. Their coop is 8' long, 6' wide and about 8' tall with 16 boxes. There are two roosting boards that run the length of the coop and the boxes are along the shorter sides. We let them out to free range every morning and they roam around about 8 acres. Also she does not come out to eat or drink.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Nice coop. Is she broody? Or just appears to be frightened?

Chickens will sometimes target odd acting or weaker members just because, which becomes a vicious cycle of chase the frightened hen. As long as they aren't being picked on enough to draw blood I don't intervene. My bottom birds hardly ever go outside, I don't see them getting picked on, so it seems to be where they feel the safest.

What are you feeding them? Sometimes not enough protein in the diet can cause some aggression. Hens fed layer can become deficient in protein sometimes, I recommend a good all flock with a separate bowl of oyster shells.

 

[KaylorFarms]

Hello! Welcome to Byc!!! It's great to have you!