Chicken plucking other chicken’s feathers out, causing them to bleed! Help!

[3KillerBs]

Thank you. I don't really have the means to provide an entire additional coop for the bully chicken at the moment, so I am trying everything else I can.

Can this behavior be corrected? If the only real option is to get rid of her, do you know of any good websites to place an ad on? Who would want to take a bully chicken?

I will try to add more obstacles to the run and blocking food to see if that helps.

I am using Purina Layena Layer feed which is 16% Protein. Is that a good amount of protein?

I don't have any direct experience with bullying, so I'm repeating what I have read.

Many people have found it helpful to switch to an all-flock feed of at least 18% protein, preferably 20% -- offering oystershell on the side.

Do you have a dog crate you could put her into? I use one as a broody breaker: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/outdoor-broody-breaker.76592/

 

[3KillerBs]

I was unable to apply it because I couldn't catch them. I am going to have to wait till they go in to roost to try and do that.

I do almost all bird care off the roost at night for exactly that reason.

Should I put the dog crate in the garage and fully isolate her? Or should I put the crate inside the run with the other chickens?

I can't advise you on that because I don't have enough experience. I hope someone else will have more advice to give on that issue.

 

[jschmi]

3KillerBs already linked you the clutter thread, so I suggest taking a look at the various suggestions in there and adding some to the run. It makes a huge difference by giving the chickens stuff to interact with, plus visually breaking up the space so birds that are picked on can take shelter or run away.

I have up to 5 feeders out in the morning as that's when they're most likely to fight over food, and it keeps them all moving around while guaranteeing that everyone gets a chance to eat.

I assume that's Blu Kote and Pick No More lotion. I have both.

Blu Kote I don't find to make much difference in most cases as far as picking, but it does also function as an antibacterial or anti fungal I believe, so I use it to clean up and treat minor injuries here.

Pick No More does seem to deter feather picking (I had a disabled bird that was getting plucked during molt) however it needs to be applied regularly, up to twice a day, in order to be effective. It's a decent short term solution but not a good long term one.

Yes that is what they are called. Thanks for the info about the products. I tried both of them tonight. Both products are incredibly messy. Any recommendation on how much of the Peck No More to use? Did you apply it to the skin or on the feathers?

I will try adding more clutter.
This weekend I’m going to build a smaller second coop for the injured bird to be in till she’s healed up.

I do find it weird that only the Golden Laced that are getting picked on. The other Rhode Island Reds are unharmed. That makes me think it’s being done out of boredom rather and cannibalism.
I don’t know if there is any truth to that, I am just trying to figure it out.

 

[3KillerBs]

I do find it weird that only the Golden Laced that are getting picked on. The other Rhode Island Reds are unharmed.

Chickens can sometimes be intolerant of birds that look different.

RIRs, for all their many virtues, are known for being dominant, bossy, and even aggressive in some lines.

 

[jschmi]

This is a bad behavior that needs to be stopped immediately, otherwise your other chickens will learn that habit.

I hope you’re applying first aid to your injured chickens. Then you will need to remove the destructive hen away from the coop and run. Leave her in a dog crate with food and water in the garage. Anywhere out of sight of the coop.

This is a bad behavior that needs to be stopped immediately, otherwise your other chickens will learn that habit.

I hope your applying first aid to your injured chickens. Then you will need to remove the destructive hen away from the coop and run. Leave her in a dog crate with food and water in the garage. Anywhere out of sight of the coop.

Thanks for the advice. Should I keep her separate indefinitely? Or can I eventually reintroduce her again after awhile?

 

[jschmi]

I don't have any direct experience with bullying, so I'm repeating what I have read.

Many people have found it helpful to switch to an all-flock feed of at least 18% protein, preferably 20% -- offering oystershell on the side.

Do you have a dog crate you could put her into? I use one as a broody breaker: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/outdoor-broody-breaker.76592/

Ok thank you. I will switch their food to all flock and get some oyster shells as well.
I do provide them with "Golden Egg Farmers Helper" treats which say they have protein and other good stuff as well.

I went out earlier today and tried to apply the pecking prevention and wound healing care on the chickens, but I was unable to apply it because I couldn't catch them. I am going to have to wait till they go in to roost to try and do that.

I do have a dog crate I could use. I am just confused on how I would use it in this case because I am not sure if she can be reunited with the flock.
Should I put the dog crate in the garage and fully isolate her? Or should I put the crate inside the run with the other chickens?