Bleeding comb

[LittleMissCountry]

So I now have three chickens in their coop and run, including the injured one. I have one of my black sex links separated in the portable pen.

After my two buff orps did so well together, I tried adding in the other two, both black sex links. One had no issues and went straight for digging. The other one went straight for my poor buff orp and immediately pecked her comb. She didn't do it hard, and caused no bleeding but I am guessing she is the culprit. I don't know if she was already injured or if Star pecked her hard enough to make her bleed.

Star is now isolated and the others are happily digging around in their run. I will keep her isolated overnight and see how she does tomorrow.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I love to keep Quickstop on hand. They sell it with dog & cats supplies. The canister it comes in is small. Just the right size for dipping a toe nail in. That’s what they marketed for. It’s awesome for combs (or claws). It is cheaper than what is sold for chickens I’m sure it’s because of the size. I’ve done cornstarch. But the spetic powder works best IMO

 

[snow5164]

Hydrogen peroxide gets blood off very well, just put it in a sprayer and spritz the bloody feathers. It will fizz up and the blood will dissolve. Just let it dry then.

Would you use that near eyes though??

It sure sounds easy !!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So I now have three chickens in their coop and run, including the injured one. I have one of my black sex links separated in the portable pen.

After my two buff orps did so well together, I tried adding in the other two, both black sex links. One had no issues and went straight for digging. The other one went straight for my poor buff orp and immediately pecked her comb. She didn't do it hard, and caused no bleeding but I am guessing she is the culprit. I don't know if she was already injured or if Star pecked her hard enough to make her bleed.

Star is now isolated and the others are happily digging around in their run. I will keep her isolated overnight and see how she does tomorrow.

You need to be able to distinguish between an attack/bullying and normal pecking order.
If a hen is removed from the flock, when they come back, higher ranking birds will peck them, not really hard, but it's still a peck. I'm not quite sure the meaning, but sometimes it's almost like "where have you been! you've been naughty!" other times it can be more like a reminder that "I'm the boss".
The longer they are all apart, the more disruption you are going to have.

 

[townchicks]

Would you use that near eyes though??

I wouldn't spray it near the eyes, unless you can cover them, but a cotton ball soaked in it can be used to wipe around the eye itself.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

You need to be able to distinguish between an attack/bullying and normal pecking order.
If a hen is removed from the flock, when they come back, higher ranking birds will peck them, not really hard, but it's still a peck. I'm not quite sure the meaning, but sometimes it's almost like "where have you been! you've been naughty!" other times it can be more like a reminder that "I'm the boss".
The longer they are all apart, the more disruption you are going to have.

@Wyorp Rock
I may be wrong, but from what I have observed with my four is that when they do their normal pecking order pecking, they have always pecked at the other bird's neck or back. I have never seen them peck at each other's combs before.

So I am admittedly new at this, with these being my first group of chickens, but so far, since they were chicks, they have pecked necks and backs. The comb pecking is new.

So, what would you recommend? Should I keep the injured one inside tonight, the black sex link in, or just put them both together and see what happens? Try to attempt letting them all sleep in the coop?

 

[snow5164]

hey @LittleMissCountry ....

If you put the “@“ symbol before the name of who you’re talking to ( it will be blue if it’s spelled correctly), then they will get notifications that you asked a question of them .

Just so you know

 

[LittleMissCountry]

T

hey @LittleMissCountry ....

If you put the “@“ symbol before the name of who you’re talking to ( it will be blue if it’s spelled correctly), then they will get notifications that you asked a question of them .

Just so you know

Thanks

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Wyorp Rock
I may be wrong, but from what I have observed with my four is that when they do their normal pecking order pecking, they have always pecked at the other bird's neck or back. I have never seen them peck at each other's combs before.

So I am admittedly new at this, with these being my first group of chickens, but so far, since they were chicks, they have pecked necks and backs. The comb pecking is new.

So, what would you recommend? Should I keep the injured one inside tonight, the black sex link in, or just put them both together and see what happens? Try to attempt letting them all sleep in the coop?

That would be up to you. It would probably be best to put them all back together while you can observe them.
I do agree, they normally peck the neck/back, but it's not unusual to get the comb as well.
Each flock/group of birds are different, so go by what you observe.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

That would be up to you. It would probably be best to put them all back together while you can observe them.
I do agree, they normally peck the neck/back, but it's not unusual to get the comb as well.
Each flock/group of birds are different, so go by what you observe.

Thanks. My kids are home today, so we can keep an eye on them. I will take it slow today with putting them back together and keep a close eye.