Chickens all gang up and attack one of my hens.

[Puritanbob]

I have a flock that all gangs up and attacks one of my hens, she has been in the flock for about 6 months and things were fine until about 3 months ago when this behaviour started. They seem to go for her feathers on the back of her upper neck and yank them out, I've pulled her out of the main yard and have her outside of it but still within sight of the others but everytime I try to reintroduce her the same thing happens. Is there any hope here? I'm about to give her away to a friend, the only thing is that we are kind of attached to her since we raised her from a chick.

 

[NovaAman]

Is there enough room? Can you possibly build another coop and run and put her and another more docile hen with her?

 

[NovaAman]

Welcome to BYC.

 

[Puritanbob]

Right, I think that's what started it, their yard was a tad small but I recently made it pretty big, plenty of room 6 birds to romp but it continues. Perhaps I could just go with the 2nd coop but I am planning on using that for raising my chicks until they can join the main flock. What's with attacking the neck?

 

[NovaAman]

Well that is usually where a roo grabs for mating, and my hens do it to establish who is boss.