Bleeding and bald from henpecking.

[erinrstrain]

hello. i have 17 chickens - 8 are 15 months and the rest are 4 months. i integrated the young ones a month ago and it went well. i noticed yesterday that my little polish girl has this head injury. i cleaned it and put neospirin on it and she’s in the chicken hospital for now. how/when should i put her back in the coop since i can’t cover her head? i’m not positive which hen is the bully but 2 have been more aggressive lately.

 

[sourland]

Sadly, crested birds are frequently scalped in mixed flocks. It generally is not associated with pecking order, and may be a result of boredom. If you can identify the 'peckers' applying Pin Less Peepers may help control/break this bad habit.

 

[SueT]

Pinless Peepers are plastic blinders that snap into the nostrils of the offending bird(s). She can still eat, drink, roost, but it really stops the pecking.
For this hen, it was peepers or the crock pot. She wore them for about 4 months, and after they were removed, she was reformed and didn't need them any more.

 

[erinrstrain]

i ordered some of the peepers, thank you. how long should i keep the wounded hen in the sick bay?

 

[SueT]

i ordered some of the peepers, thank you. how long should i keep the wounded hen in the sick bay?

I don't know the answer to how long but I'd say until the offenders are wearing peepers.
As for the peepers, know that it really takes 2 people to put them on, one to hold the bird, the other to apply the peeper. If you soak it in boiling water, it will soften it so it's easier to flex. Practice flexing it with your fingers so you are agile with it, the bird will not hold still willingly. There are how to videos about applying these blinders. You do not need a tool to put the blinders on, but preparation as described above will help a lot.
At first, the hen will act disoriented and try to get it off. Don't give in, they get used to it in a couple hours.