Hi, I have 7 chickens and have had them since they were hatched. They are about 3 years old. I went to the coop 2 days ago and noticed they were attacking one, on her comb and around her eyes. It was horrible I brought her in and cleaned her up, then put blue kote on her wounds. She stayed inside in the dog crate. I tried to bring her back out today(all cleaned up) and they immediately started puffing up and jumping at her and pecking her. She is back inside with me now. Just wondering if they will ever get over this. What should I do?? There is no rooster, just hens. Thanks so much!!!
Welcome to BYC. I would spend some time with them to see if a certain one is a bully, or if they since that something is wrong with her. Do you have more than one feeder and waterer available for lower pecking order chickens? Make sure they can get outside, and aren't kept in too tight of quarters, which can lead to pecking. If you notice a bully, you can take her out of the flock for a week or so, which may lower her place in the order.
If they're all picking on her, she may have something wrong with her health-wise. I'd recommend keeping her separated but within close proximity (a wire dog kennel inside the coop perhaps?) for at least a week or two so her wounds can heal and the flock and feel like she's part of them while still not allowing them to beat her up. It's also possible she's starting to go broody. I've noticed with one particular hen, when she starts going broody (she's bottom of the pecking order) they tend to pick on her. After a few days they're over it. fortunately, mine have lots of room to get away from each other if need be.
Thanks. I will put her in a dog crate in the coop tomorrow with everything she needs. I wondered if they sensed something wrong with her, even If I don't see it. I think it hard on everyone when they can't go outside because they are scared of snow.
Good advice from everyone in this thread. When you reintroduce her into the flock, do it late at night when the others are asleep roosting in their house. Simply put her on a roost and only use a flashlight, no bright lights. Then when they all go outside in the morning, the others will think she was with them all the time.