Bullying leading to neck injury

[Taylorc29]

I have a flock of 4 Easter Eggers. They're just starting to lay as we are hitting 5 months old. Up until recently we have not had any bullying issues, but as the bottom 2 in the pecking order have begun to produce eggs, the head hen (Ma) has lost her mind and has been bullying my 3rd in line (Phil). She chases her around, and pins her to the ground and I thought she was plucking a feather or two from the back of her head.

I thought maybe it was just minor pecking order issues, but Phil has escaped out a small opening in the top of the 7 foot covering of the run to get away from it, and today as she was sitting on my lap I noticed a TINY bit of blood on her feathers.

I checked her neck and there is a sizeable injury under her feathers. It looks like a cut, in the skin, as in, when lift the feathers up, it gets wider. Aside from being terrified of Ma and running to jump in my arms anytime she sees her, Phil is acting fine. Her comb is a good color and she's doing chicken things during the day when she's on her own.

I was hoping I could keep the bullying at bay until everyone started laying and then things would sort themselves out. I've tried separating Ma for the day in her own area so she can see the other girls wandering free, but that doesn't seem to bother her at all. I'm worried if I re-home Ma (which I do not want to do at all, but I'm not sure what my options are) that the second in command will just take over the bullying.

Any help would be great. TIA

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post some photos of all the birds and housing/run?
How much space do they have?

I would flush that wound out and apply a little triple antibiotic ointment.

 

[Taylorc29]

Can you post some photos of all the birds and housing/run?
How much space do they have?

I would flush that wound out and apply a little triple antibiotic ointment.

First picture is the run/coop, second is my side yard. My place is messy

So their run is roughly 15' by 7'... It tapers at the end by the coop. But they get free range time daily in our side yard.

They have pine shavings in the coop and run. They have lots of places to dust bathe. They have multiple watering spots and with our Idaho heat this past couple weeks I've been putting electrolytes in one waterer. I feed them Purina flock raiser along with mealworm treats, various greens, and watermelon.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That's enough space for 4.
Some birds can be bullies for sure, but the damage is real enough.
Are you sure Ma is a pullet? Just asking...I have only seen that type of damage from cockerel/rooster, but do have some hens that can be quite nasty to one another.

 

[bobbi-j]

It would help if you put some hiding places in your run. Plywood or a pallet leaning on the fence (open on both ends to prevent one from getting cornered), a pallet on cement blocks so one could hide underneath if necessary, or anything else to help them get out of the line of vision of each other.

 

[Taylorc29]

That's enough space for 4.
Some birds can be bullies for sure, but the damage is real enough.
Are you sure Ma is a pullet? Just asking...I have only seen that type of damage from cockerel/rooster, but do have some hens that can be quite nasty to one another.

So, this is my question! I'm like 90% sure she's a she. I've wondered all along if they were all girls, but most everyone who has looked at the pictures has said they're all pullets.

I'm also going to set up a make-shift coop/run for Ma for the week away from the other gals in the hopes that maybe a break might reset the pecking order?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I am by no means a gender guesser, but looks like a pullet to me.
Separation may work for you, but I've never had it work for me.