Behavior, attacking each other, Help?

[Delaneygraces]

I have pen with 4 Modern Bantams, 3 hens, 1 cock. The hens have all been friendly, as they were raised together, same age. But today, I noticed one hen’s head and back feathers all plucked. I spent the day in the garage cleaning (it’s where they are penned in the winter) and heard a racket. I investigated, and one hen was attacking the other. At first, I thought, “Oh well, just a little scrimish.” But throughout the day, the attacks became more violet. It went from pecking and chasing, to grabbing, beating, ripping out feathers, and the hitting with feet that roosters do. By that point, I took at the two hens that were on the bottom of the pecking order, (I figured out the pecking order in a few short hours) and out them on a stack of straw in the garage, and let them walk around a bit, and got them to be nice (poor Quine, both are picking on her,).
I’m just trying to figure out WHY they are fighting, and how to stop it. They have plenty of space, their pennis a brooder meant for 10-15 full sized older chicks. They have plenty of food and water, and always have food left in their container.
I can’t seperate them, as all my pen space with heat lamps is filled in the garage, and it is too cold to move them outside r to a pen without a heat lamp, and she’s my good hen I’m breeding.
Anyone have any ideas f why they’re fighting, and how to stop it? I’m worried they might kill one, as Quine has almost not feathers on her head anymore, her comb is beat on, and has patches of missing feathers. So any advice? Any than I should do? Or should I just try to make some space for her in another pen?

 

[Skipper81]

Probably nothing to do with it but my birds never had red light heat lamps then winter came they are in garage in coops by the way
I tried a red bulb and they attacked each other mostly in the face so I had to get rid of the heat lamp
I would put her in a separate cage.
I have heard they will attack others if they are sick so you should give her a good look over spend some time with her and try to hand feed and make sure shes eating and drinking

 

[21hens-incharge]

Probably nothing to do with it but my birds never had red light heat lamps then winter came they are in garage in coops by the way
I tried a red bulb and they attacked each other mostly in the face so I had to get rid of the heat lamp

Actually I think it has everything to do with it.
I have 30 birds with no light at night. All is well.
I have a neighbor with 4 birds and a red light. Her birds raise all kinds of heck at night. I wakes us and it is so crazed sounding we end up getting clothes on fast to see if a predator is in MY coop.
Of course as soon as we step out we realize it is not my birds in distress.

How small are these birds that they need a heat lamp as adults?

 

[21hens-incharge]

OK I looked them up....
They are very small with close feathering. It does say they don't tolerate cold OR confinement well.

Might need to order heat plates for them.

 

[Conan]

A

OK I looked them up....
They are very small with close feathering. It does say they don't tolerate cold OR confinement well.

Might need to order heat plates for them.

After your comment, I also looked them... Oh my goodness. A Velociraptor crossed with a burlesque dancer comes to mind. I honestly had no idea such a creature existed. So, to the OP, I learned something today. Unfortunately, I have no input towards your problem other than to try placing her in a dog/cat kennel for a night in a laundry room or something. Though I have heard lots of folks mention how that may alienate her even more from the group if separated too long.
Best of luck to you!

 

[Skipper81]

Did you catch the name of the breed ?

 

[AKCharle]

Of course obviously you have to separate her for a while until she heals a bit. But I would get rid of the heat lamp (very fire dangerous) and go with a heat panel. I use one in my coop that has no insulation when it gets down to around 0°. I set it for the lowest temp (32°). Judging by the other posts the red light makes them crazy.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Yes the red lights make them insane.
No sleep day or night.....I would be cranky too.

 

[Delaneygraces]

OK I looked them up....
They are very small with close feathering. It does say they don't tolerate cold OR confinement well.

Might need to order heat plates for them.

A

After your comment, I also looked them... Oh my goodness. A Velociraptor crossed with a burlesque dancer comes to mind. I honestly had no idea such a creature existed. So, to the OP, I learned something today. Unfortunately, I have no input towards your problem other than to try placing her in a dog/cat kennel for a night in a laundry room or something. Though I have heard lots of folks mention how that may alienate her even more from the group if separated too long.
Best of luck to you!

Yes the red lights make them insane.
No sleep day or night.....I would be cranky too.

Thanks for the help guys! I’ll look into the heat panels, but it might not be the best option, as the pens are open on the front and bottom for venalation, and it may not keep the pen warm enough? Or maybe it will I’ll do some reading~
As for red lamps, I had NO idea!! I have a few not red lights I can put on them! I never thought of this as a problem, becuase all but one of my other pens are u see red lamps, and they don’t have problems!!
Honanbm, yes they do!! Like a current day Dino!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I have pen with 4 Modern Bantams, 3 hens, 1 cock. The hens have all been friendly, as they were raised together, same age. But today, I noticed one hen’s head and back feathers all plucked.... Anyone have any ideas f why they’re fighting...

The full correct name for your fowl is "Modern Game Bantams" These chickens are direct (sort of) decedents of the pit games once shown at No 10 Downing Street. They are no more aggressive (and maybe less so) than a Rhode Island Red or any other domestic chicken. However game chickens have a "craw full of sand" as my old granny would say which means that they don't know the meaning of the word defeat. This means that a battle may last for days. This trait of never admitting defeat by another hen or rooster is why I advocate the removal of the bird being beat on and keeping its victorious nemesis in the flock. Too often when the aggressor bird is returned to the flock after a time out of a few weeks the fracous just starts again right where it left off.