Cannibal hen killing my flock

[5.3acredream]

Two times in the past 2 months I've walked into my coop to find a hen nearly dead- the back of her head pecked open. The first hen didn't make it, the second one I caught in time and isolated. There are no predators (covered run, hardwire dug in)- this is chicken on chicken. I don't know which hen is starting the head pecking. If I did, I'd dispatch her ASAP. I'm at my wits end. They have an 8x4 coop for 7 chickens and a 20x30 run. They are on 20% protein feed. I'm this close to culling the whole flock to get rid of the killer hen and just starting over. I can't keep rushing in to save my sweet clumsy hens. It's heartbreaking to see them laying there under the group assault. Does anyone have any ideas?!

 

[MegsEggsx]

Do you have cameras in the run? If you set up cameras you could catch the cannibal chicken before it happens again.

 

[MIgardengal]

Are you using artificial light? I “heard” someone who owned chickens say once that too much bright light can make them act like that...that’s why brooder lights are red

 

[nuthatched]

Once you figure out who it is, cull!

 

[WILIFORD]

I agree with the previous post. I have used a battery powered trail camera in my hen house on a few occasions for various issues. However if your flock is like mine, I have a lot of chickens of the same breed, so even if you had video of the incident, narrowing it down may still be a challenge. However if you had a way to get an audio feed, like a baby monitor, I am sure it is probably not a silent event, and could potentially alert you in time to catch the culprit in the act.

 

[50-45-1]

Do you have a rooster?
Is your hardware cloth 1/4 inch?
I agree with the baby monitor and the camera idea.
Hope you figure this out.