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

[DawnLee]

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

I ended up rehoming the two bullies. My hen has lost her eye due to this. It is swollen shut and oozing. Vet already gave antibiotics but he said there is nothing else he can do.

 

[Mrs. K]

I am wondering if the original injury was a bullying that was brought on by too small of quarters. Do not put the victim in the coop with the other two. You could try, putting the mean bird by herself, IF the other two get along.

Do know:

• That being raised together has no effect on overcrowding
• that what was enough room when they were chicks, may not be enough when they are full size
• a couple hours of free range does nothing to help over crowding
• pre fab coops vastly overestimate what can live in there.

mrs k

 

[Amethyst288]

I ended up rehoming the two bullies. My hen has lost her eye due to this. It is swollen shut and oozing. Vet already gave antibiotics but he said there is nothing else he can do.

DawnLee, I am sorry to hear it got that bad. I hope she gets better.
It's just a suggestion you may/may not consider - I used colloidal silver drops on my dog's eye when she had an infection and it cleared up.

 

[NanaK]

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

When I first have to put a bird in bully jail it is for that day. Just before I close up and after all other birds have gone into the coop I release the bully to go inside with everyone else. By this time it is about dark.
I make sure the bully does not attack before she roosts. I go out the next morning at first light and turn everyone out for the day keeping an eye on the bully. If it goes well, I check back often throughout the day. Sometimes at this point the attacks are over. If not she goes back to bully jail and that night she is caged in the coop in over night bully jail. I use my broody/hospital coop if available. I try keeping her separated 2 full days if it gets this far. Release into the flock again for another trial. Usually by this time it resolves thankfully. If it didn't I'd go for another day or so and try again.
Hope this helps.

 

[Amethyst288]

When I first have to put a bird in bully jail it is for that day. Just before I close up and after all other birds have gone into the coop I release the bully to go inside with everyone else. By this time it is about dark.
I make sure the bully does not attack before she roosts. I go out the next morning at first light and turn everyone out for the day keeping an eye on the bully. If it goes well, I check back often throughout the day. Sometimes at this point the attacks are over. If not she goes back to bully jail and that night she is caged in the coop in over night bully jail. I use my broody/hospital coop if available. I try keeping her separated 2 full days if it gets this far. Release into the flock again for another trial. Usually by this time it resolves thankfully. If it didn't I'd go for another day or so and try again.
Hope this helps.

Many thanks for your suggestion NanaK. It is much appreciated!

 

[OrcaRice]

I am wondering if the original injury was a bullying that was brought on by too small of quarters. Do not put the victim in the coop with the other two. You could try, putting the mean bird by herself, IF the other two get along.

Do know:

• That being raised together has no effect on overcrowding
• that what was enough room when they were chicks, may not be enough when they are full size
• a couple hours of free range does nothing to help over crowding
• pre fab coops vastly overestimate what can live in there.

mrs k

I was not present when the original injury occurred. Either the bully inflicted the wound or the bullied hen got it naturally while outside. I do know that the bully made it worse because I treated the original injuries and then put the hen back, within a couple hours she was all bloody again. Before all of this the hens were living together fine, although I admit the coop may be a bit small for 3 chickens. I did put the mean hen by itself but the other hen picks on the bullied hen as well but not as viciously as the bully. I don't think the bullied hen would last overnight.

 

[Mrs. K]

You know, I think you may need to sell a bird. Or more. Give us some pictures if you want, sometimes we can see stuff. But being pecked to death is horrible, and this aggression will ruin your enjoyment of the birds.

The coop is the big expense, and generally it is a final expense. Once you make it, it is hard to change it without a lot of additional money put in. Therefore, the easiest is to adjust the flock.

You might consider bantam breeds. Or only two full size hens. Or different breeds of hens, some can take a bit of overcrowding easier than others.

MRs K

 

[3KillerBs]

You might consider bantam breeds. Or only two full size hens. Or different breeds of hens, some can take a bit of overcrowding easier than others.

This is a good thought.

Some breeds have "tolerates confinement" in their description in the hatchery catalogs. This doesn't mean that they'll *certainly* be OK in tight quarters, but it gives you a better chance than breeds described as "active forager" or "good for ranging".

 

[Dhkoenig]

Here is her photo.
View attachment 3196057

YES we had success with these! Plus putting the bully in jail.