Bloody head! (Reintegration Saga)

[anniegal]

We were finally able to reintegrate our poor Polish hen into the main coop a week or two ago - after her last frostbitten toe auto-amputated.

Then today I realized THIS is happening:

She is definitely being bullied (and pecked obviously) but we didn't realize just how badly ... It *seemed* like she was holding her own and gradually making her way back in to the flock (7 total hens).

Now I don't know WHAT to think!

Does this look like old wounds, as my husband thinks?

I really don't want to separate her again, but this just seems...dangerous. Like they could potentially KILL her doing this?!?

HELP!!

 Ann

 

[Eggcessive]

This can be a common occurrence with Polish chickens. If you catch it early spraying the head with BluKote will color it purple and can help to stop it. My 2 would take turns getting pecked on their head poofs once or twice a year and that always worked. Some have reported that BluKote could potentially attract more pecking. It may be that she was gone from the flock for a bit. If you have to separate her longer, keep her near them inside a wire dog crate with food and water, so they can see her.

 

[EagleEyes]

Tell me what is blue coat and where do I get it

 

[Eggcessive]

Many feed stores sell it or another brand called wound lots. I prefer the BluKote. It really stains, so be careful not to get it on clothes. Have someone hold the chicken and spray away from your fingers and her eyes. TSC and chewy sell it:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...1qk0ocqyCeVa7fUc-ZjIiCexo09dWi4hoCXe4QAvD_BwE

 

[anniegal]

This can be a common occurrence with Polish chickens. If you catch it early spraying the head with BluKote will color it purple and can help to stop it. My 2 would take turns getting pecked on their head poofs once or twice a year and that always worked. Some have reported that BluKote could potentially attract more pecking. It may be that she was gone from the flock for a bit. If you have to separate her longer, keep her near them inside a wire dog crate with food and water, so they can see her.

Thank you!

I do think it's because she was in the house for several weeks before we finally got a partitioned area built in the run as an "infirmary" (which we'll use for new chicks in the fall as well).

But we kept her in the infirmary - in sight of the whole flock but no contact possible - for at least two weeks before putting her with them (on the roost, at night) and they STILL are just being such bullies to her!!

We have another Polish, practically her twin, and they leave HER entirely alone...

Sigh.

I have some BluKote and will give it a try. It's just hard to put her back out there (she's in the house this afternoon since I discovered the injury) but I know we have to.

Chicken keeping ain't for the fainthearted, is it?!?

Ann

 

[Eggcessive]

It is frustrating when one gets bullied. After dealing with my 2 polish hens who were very sweet, I didn’t want anymore. One got completely scalped by a young cockerel, but recovered. They were both eventually killed by hawks In separate incidents. I hope it eventually works out that they get back to normal.

 

[anniegal]

It is frustrating when one gets bullied. After dealing with my 2 polish hens who were very sweet, I didn’t want anymore. One got completely scalped by a young cockerel, but recovered. They were both eventually killed by hawks In separate incidents. I hope it eventually works out that they get back to normal.

Aww... I'm sorry to hear about your ladies! The sad thing is our Polish are actually the whole reason we HAVE chickens. I just fell in love with a friend's Gold Buff - and now we have these 2 (of 7... so far). They're so quirky and generally sweet - and ENTERTAINING!! So, yes, here's hoping this will be short-lived...