Buff orpington bloody head, pecking issue?

[Kaesi2020]

Hi all, we have six pullets in upstate NY. We have thankfully never had any major pecking order issues, just nightly squabbles over roost spots mostly. They have been in the coop a little more lately due to the snow and cold. This morning we let them out of the coop and into the run an hour later than usual. Our buff Orpington who usually is one of the top girls in the pecking order had a bloody face and blood was spattered on the roost and walls. We cleaned her up, she has a small cut above her eye but nothing super serious- was surprised at how much blood there was despite the cut being small. She is cleaned up and back in the run with the others. Do you think this would continue to happen to her? Are these things ever a one time thing? Should we do anything or just continue to keep an eye out? Thank you!

 

[ameliathedominant]

can i possibly see a picture of the wound? it could just be them being sassy. they dont like being cooped up (heheheheh)

 

[RojoMarz]

How is she otherwise...Normal acting, eating, poop good? I'd keep an eye on her. If she is feeling under the weather or is sick, the others will continue to pick on her, in a different way than normal pecking order.

 

[aart]

Do you think this would continue to happen to her? Are these things ever a one time thing? Should we do anything or just continue to keep an eye out?

Only time will tell.
Is your coop too small?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi all, we have six pullets in upstate NY. We have thankfully never had any major pecking order issues, just nightly squabbles over roost spots mostly. They have been in the coop a little more lately due to the snow and cold. This morning we let them out of the coop and into the run an hour later than usual. Our buff Orpington who usually is one of the top girls in the pecking order had a bloody face and blood was spattered on the roost and walls. We cleaned her up, she has a small cut above her eye but nothing super serious- was surprised at how much blood there was despite the cut being small. She is cleaned up and back in the run with the others. Do you think this would continue to happen to her? Are these things ever a one time thing? Should we do anything or just continue to keep an eye out? Thank you!

Small cuts bleed a lot. It's good that you cleaned her up and got her back with the flock.
How much coop/run space do you have?

Possibly it was fighting but look around and see if there's a staple or nail that she may have cut herself on as well.

 

[Kaesi2020]

Small cuts bleed a lot. It's good that you cleaned her up and got her back with the flock.
How much coop/run space do you have?

Possibly it was fighting but look around and see if there's a staple or nail that she may have cut herself on as well.

Thank you, did not even think of that. I will check for nails and such. She has been acting normal, eating, drinking etc. The run is 17x5 and the coop is 25sqft.

 

[Kaesi2020]

Only time will tell.
Is your coop too small?

The run is 17x5 and the coop is 25sqft, the BO's are hefty and sometimes have a hard time jumping up to the roost. I may need to change something to make it easier.

 

[Kaesi2020]

How is she otherwise...Normal acting, eating, poop good? I'd keep an eye on her. If she is feeling under the weather or is sick, the others will continue to pick on her, in a different way than normal pecking order.

She seems like her usual self thankfully.

 

[Kaesi2020]

can i possibly see a picture of the wound? it could just be them being sassy. they dont like being cooped up (heheheheh)

I will try and take a pic today!

 

[mowin]

The run is 17x5 and the coop is 25sqft, the BO's are hefty and sometimes have a hard time jumping up to the roost. I may need to change something to make it easier.

Can you add a ramp to make it easier for them to get to the roost? And hello from a fellow upstater. Not far from you, I'm in old Chatham.