Bully hen keeps attacking an isolated hen on sight when they're outside together

[OrcaRice]

So I have three hens, two hens live together in the coop and another one I had to separate because of a major flesh injury of unknown origin a few months ago. I'm aware that chickens get excited by blood and they will attack sick/injured members of the flock. I isolated the injured hen and she's physically healthy (aside from poopy butt) but she still lives by herself in an enclosure away from the coop. When I let all of the chickens out into the yard for "recess", there's no immediate aggression from the bully hen. When the bully and the isolated hen happen to walk near each other, the bully attacks, pecking out neck feathers and the comb. The isolated hen clearly doesn't learn and keeps wandering into the bully's path and I always have to be outside to supervise them. I thought that if they hang out more everything would calm down because they used to live together not long ago. FYI all of the hens got along until one of them got injured.

 

[TwoCrows]

If the injured hen has healed her injuries, I would try not to isolate her anymore as this is making matters worse with the alpha hen. Eventually over time the lower ranking bird will learn to avoid the bully and as long as the bully is not hurting this bird, it's probably something that will work itself out over time. If it doesn't and this bully hen gets meaner, you might have to cage her for part of the day to give the bird a chance to enjoy life without a bully harassing her. Pinless Peepers are something to consider if all else fails. I had a bully hen that ripped combs off, she lived in these. Drastic yes but either that or it was time to rehome her which I chose not to do. Just remember, those wire dog crates make wonderful jails!

 

[TwoCrows]

Here is her photo.

 

[DawnLee]

How can they see to eat?

 

[TwoCrows]

How can they see to eat?

They can see up and to one side or another when looking down. So when looking down they can see out of either eye, but they can't see straight forward to bite or attack another. It takes about a half day to figure it all out and eventually they even get really good with aim straight forward. So it's not permanent nor is it a fix all. It's for drastic cases of being a bully only.

 

[NanaK]

You could also isolate the bully for a while. Sometimes it allows the bully to get an attitude adjustment when they go back to the flock. I done that a few times and seemed to help. Kind of a Bully Jail as @TwoCrows mentioned.

 

[DawnLee]

They can see up and to one side or another when looking down. So when looking down they can see out of either eye, but they can't see straight forward to bite or attack another. It takes about a half day to figure it all out and eventually they even get really good with aim straight forward. So it's not permanent nor is it a fix all. It's for drastic cases of being a bully only.

Do they have any trouble going up a ramp to the coop, or getting to the roost bar?

 

[TwoCrows]

Do they have any trouble going up a ramp to the coop, or getting to the roost bar?

They quickly learn how to get around using one eye or the other. After a few days they act as if they aren't wearing them.

 

[DawnLee]

They quickly learn how to get around using one eye or the other. After a few days they act as if they aren't wearing them.

Okay. Thanks for the info.

 

[Amethyst288]

You could also isolate the bully for a while. Sometimes it allows the bully to get an attitude adjustment when they go back to the flock. I done that a few times and seemed to help. Kind of a Bully Jail as @TwoCrows mentioned.

How long and how often did you put the bully in jail? Thanks