I had a broody raise two RIR chicks in the fall and they are now laying. I also did this the previous year and everyone integrated fine. Things seemed to be going well with the everyone util now. One of my young hens has been scalped. I have never had bloodshed prior. My 2 yr old RIR is second in command and I am sure she is the culprit. Two questions: How do I manage this wound and should I rehome someone.
1. Managing the wound: Do i clip off the scalped part? It flops down as she moves her head so to reattach it I am going to have to bandage her head. I have her in a crate, but she is stressed about being caged. I have cleaned it and sprayed it with vetericyn plus. She is eating and I gave her nutridrench. She is still active and eyes are clear and bright.
2. Is there something I can do to manage this pecking order better. I have 8 hens and they have a 20 x 30 run with places to hide. Every evening they get to run around the entire back yard, so space should not be a problem. This young hen does appear to be trying to move up the ranks while the other one is content to be on the lower end of the order. My 2 yr old RIR (Marla) is very bossy, but has never done anything like this prior.
1. Managing the wound: Do i clip off the scalped part? It flops down as she moves her head so to reattach it I am going to have to bandage her head. I have her in a crate, but she is stressed about being caged. I have cleaned it and sprayed it with vetericyn plus. She is eating and I gave her nutridrench. She is still active and eyes are clear and bright.
2. Is there something I can do to manage this pecking order better. I have 8 hens and they have a 20 x 30 run with places to hide. Every evening they get to run around the entire back yard, so space should not be a problem. This young hen does appear to be trying to move up the ranks while the other one is content to be on the lower end of the order. My 2 yr old RIR (Marla) is very bossy, but has never done anything like this prior.