Bullied chicken

[jnicholes]

Hello,

I have one golden sex link that is being bullied by the other eight I have. I just saw it happen, she is trying to get something to eat and the other chickens attack her and pull out feathers. Her tail is down to one feather and her neck is losing feathers rapidly. She is also missing a lot of feathers on her belly. I saw a fight today. It was bad. She is not getting enough to eat because the other hens fight her. Here is a picture.



There is no way for me to tell which hen is bullying her, so what should I do? Should I cull the victim? Should I find the bully and cull her?

I need help.

Jared

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I see she's also molting. Birds can get more moody and aggressive during the molt. Make sure they are getting enough protein as sex links can become deficient laying so many eggs, than during the molt which requires a lot of protein they can become feather eaters and potentially cannibals.

Make sure they are getting at least 18%, but I personally would give them something with 20-22% protein, either a grower, or game bird, all flock or meat maker. Add in some extra protein treats like canned fish, cottage cheese, or scrambled eggs.

How big is your set up? If it is cramped birds can get more aggressive as well.

 

[jnicholes]

Hello,

Is it possible for them to molt at only eight months old? I got them in the beginning of March as chicks. I ask because I am not that experienced.

The set up is pretty big, big enough for ten chickens. I actually had ten, but one was killed when it jumped the fence where the dogs were.

I can post more pictures if needed.

Jared

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Could be a partial molt, or her just growing in plucked feathers. I would still make sure to feed them a higher protein feed as I have had problems with sex links becoming egg and feather eaters due to deficiencies. Keep a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs.

Sex links in general tend to be a more aggressive breed in my experiences with them and are more prone to aggression. They definitely should have plenty of room to avoid problems. What do you consider enough room for 10 chickens? The coop shouldn't be smaller than 8x10, and the run should be fairly large to avoid problems.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

While she's recovering keep her separate from the flock, and observe them without her. Are they turning on anyone else?

You may need to create two flocks. Perhaps two or three of the others would do well with her once you identify the bullies and separate out some of the non-aggressors.

My flock is the same age as yours. I've read they don't do a full grownup molt until they're at least a year old, aside from a series of pullet molts during the first few months. But I'm finding feathers in the coop and no injuries, so I'm wondering if someone is molting but not aggressively. Maybe it's the same with her?

 

[venymae]

Offering feed in several location can help the chickens on the bottom of the pecking order feed better without being run off. Also if you can break up the line of sight between feeders that would be even better. Try a feather fixer feed for a while to help her grow in. And yes, it is possible to molt the first year, but most of the time they don't.

 

[jnicholes]

@oldhenlikesdogs, you are right. You just told me what the problem was.

I am not that experienced with chickens as I only started raising them in March of this year. A friend of mine said, "You could easily fit more than 10 in this coop and run." Even though the coop was 5' by 12' and the run was bigger than that. I am attaching a picture.

I think you are right, there is not enough room for the nine in there now. What should I do about this problem? Should I sell some chickens?

Jared

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

@oldhenlikesdogs, you are right. You just told me what the problem was.

I am not that experienced with chickens as I only started raising them in March of this year. A friend of mine said, "You could easily fit more than 10 in this coop and run." Even though the coop was 5' by 12' and the run was bigger than that. I am attaching a picture.
View attachment 1170101
I think you are right, there is not enough room for the nine in there now. What should I do about this problem? Should I sell some chickens?

Jared

It does look like a decent size, but those sex links can be pushy. If you are willing to part with some it may help, or it may not. Keeping more mellow breeds would help too down the road.

Is there only one way in and out of your coop? Having 2 doors can help some birds escape if necessary so they don't get pinned down. Another thing to do is to put stuff in your coop and run for birds to hide under or in, and to get up on top of. Things like low tables, logs, pallets leaned up against the walls or stood up in the run attached to fence post to break up line of sight, and to give birds a place to hide.

Definitely keep multiple feeding and water stations. Maybe things will calm down.

 

[GinaNew York]

I'll just add that if you see red spots from injuries, or the skin is damaged, put on the blukote it helped with our EE that is being picked on. She was missing so many feathers from around her head, but they are growing back, and they pick less when the skin is blue coated