Chickens are bullying another so it wont come out the coop.

[Mr_chickuns]

A little background: I currently have a chicken, Leia, who is the dominant chicken in the pecking order. She has a poorly foot (which is being seen to by a vet) however very recently it took a turn for the worse and a wound in her foot re opened (I am seeing the vet tomorrow about this). She is clearly in pain however when this has happened before I noticed she gets very irritable when in pain. she had trouble with egg-boundess in the past and got very aggressive during this time.

Anyways so her and her bestie, Kit, who do everything together are now bullying the third chicken in my flock. I know a bit of squabbling goes on and you have to deal with it but whenever she tries to come out of the coop they either stare her down until she goes back in or, if she doesn't go back in, they attack her. I am making sure she gets food and water but apart from the 1-2 hours I let them free roam for she is literally sitting in her nesting box all day and all night. and even when she is allowed to free roam she often chooses to stay in her coop because the other two just chase her around and attack her. I've started letting her out individually because she needs to keep active. does anyone know if there are any immediate health issues with having her sit in a nesting box for 22 hours a day?

 

[andreanar]

If it were me, I would take the top bully hen away where they others cant see her or hear her for a week or so. Hopefully, when you put her back the other 2 will have formed a better bond and bully will find herself lower in rank.

 

[Chickassan]

I don't think it's good for her mental state to be doing that for sure. Personally i would separate Leila until she is back to normal, no need for another chicken to have a bad day just because she's having one.

 

[Mr_chickuns]

Problem is I don't have space and coops for separating them. I have a pen where I am putting the two bullys in while they free roam (so the bullied chicken gets the entire garden) but I have to supervise them to protect them against foxes. however when I am not around the only space i have that is safe from foxes 24/7 is the coop/run. I have a sleeping box however which is big enough for the Big chicken that I could put her in over night. It may give them a little bit more room it would mean she wouldn't be able to perch when she sleeps however she isn't doing that anyway due to her foot.

 

[andreanar]

Problem is I don't have space and coops for separating them. I have a pen where I am putting the two bullys in while they free roam (so the bullied chicken gets the entire garden) but I have to supervise them to protect them against foxes. however when I am not around the only space i have that is safe from foxes 24/7 is the coop/run. I have a sleeping box however which is big enough for the Big chicken that I could put her in over night. It may give them a little bit more room it would mean she wouldn't be able to perch when she sleeps however she isn't doing that anyway due to her foot.

I would use a dog crate, and keep her in the house or garage. You can also treat her foot at this time. Take her out and let her roam the bully pen each day for awhile.