Chicken Head Pecked

[Climbinash]

I went to my coop first thing this morning and found one of my chickens severely (at least from my opinion) pecked. They were all fine last night when they were put away. It was obviously one of my other hens as her face was a mess and for what it's worth the one that was pecking was the same one that ate the eggs of the other two as a pullet. I have the injured hen separated for now, but I am not sure what to do. There was no blood but you could tell she was traumatized and in pain. Do I put her back in and pull the bully hen out? Is there anything I should apply topically? It does appear that she is started molting so I wonder if that started any of the pecking. I have 4 hens total and 3 nesting areas, these two have had yelling matches over the same box too, could that be part of it??

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I went to my coop first thing this morning and found one of my chickens severely (at least from my opinion) pecked. They were all fine last night when they were put away. It was obviously one of my other hens as her face was a mess and for what it's worth the one that was pecking was the same one that ate the eggs of the other two as a pullet. I have the injured hen separated for now, but I am not sure what to do. There was no blood but you could tell she was traumatized and in pain. Do I put her back in and pull the bully hen out? Is there anything I should apply topically? It does appear that she is started molting so I wonder if that started any of the pecking. I have 4 hens total and 3 nesting areas, these two have had yelling matches over the same box too, could that be part of it??

Hi

Welcome To BYC

I would keep her separated for now. She looks like she's been beaten fairly badly, so in a weakened state she wouldn't be able to defend herself if she is placed back with the others.

You can gently flush the wounds with saline and apply some Vetericyn or triple antibiotics to the wounds. Her eye is swollen, so keep watch on it. It may be stuck shut with blood/debris, gently rinse with saline to try to flush it. You may need to do that in small steps and work on it over a period of time. The worry would be getting it flushed out in case it's scratched/pecked and gets infected. You can also put some plain Neosporin, Vetericyn eye gel or Terramycin eye ointment around or in the eye when you get it open if it looks like it's injured.

She's most likely in shock so hydration is most important for an injured chicken, so encourage her to drink - you can give her some electrolytes or poultry vitamins if you have them. Once she is drinking offer some wet feed with a little extra protein like chopped egg or tuna.

You will want to try to get her back with the flock as soon as you can, but don't rush it - a wire kennel or cage set up in the run is a good way to keep an injured chicken near the flock so integration drama isn't quite so bad.

You may need to watch the bully hen, if she starts with another, then remove her completely and away from the flock so she will have to be re-introduced later on, this will take her down in the pecking order. There's a lot of threads here on BYC about bullying, search at the top and find a few ideas that may work for your situation.

Keep up posted on her progress.

 

[ChickenChaser9]

I would not wait to remove the bully hen. That sort of behavior can be taught to other members of the flock whom were not bullys previously. Otherwise, I agree with Wyorp Rock. Best wishes!

 

[Climbinash]

Thank you for the advice! I separated her for a few hours to let her rest and then put her back and removed the bully hen. She still looks bad, but is starting to heal and otherwise is doing great. The others are leaving her alone so that is a relief. I was amazed to find her laying the past two days, so she hasn't missed a beat. She might have some scars, but I think it's safe to say I was more traumatized than she was!