Chickens turned aggressive?

[Jurassic Wolf]

One of our chickens (Floppy) has started pecking our other chicken (Chipmunk). She doesn't peck our third chicken though. Also Chipmunk has a ring of feathers missing around her neck. Is this just late molting, or is Floppy pecking her that much? Any help is appreciated!

 

[Chickenaddition]

Just a few questions:
Were all the chickens raised together?
Was anyone introduced recently (even of the three not mentioned)?
Are there more chickens than the three?
What space are they consistently constrained to? meaning coop and run?
What is their age?
Can you provide some pictures as that would help determine between molt and injury.

 

[DobieLover]

One of our chickens (Floppy) has started pecking our other chicken (Chipmunk). She doesn't peck our third chicken though. Also Chipmunk has a ring of feathers missing around her neck. Is this just late molting, or is Floppy pecking her that much? Any help is appreciated!

The missing feathers around her neck could very well be feather picking.

How big is your coop/run in feet x feet?
Do they have any enrichment in their run?
Pictures would be good.

 

[Jurassic Wolf]

I attached some pictures of chipmunk, they are 32 weeks old we only have 3 chickens, and they were all raised together. They are confined to a 8 by 2.5 foot run, we let them out every day for about 1 hour. They are bantams (very small)

 

[DobieLover]

I attached some pictures of chipmunk, they are 32 weeks old we only have 3 chickens, and they were all raised together. They are confined to a 8 by 2.5 foot run, we let them out every day for about 1 hour. They are bantams (very small)

That is not nearly enough space for three LF chickens.
Can you give them more space? MUCH more space? And something in that much more space? Like things to perch on or hide in? A dust bath area? I think your birds may be feeling very frustrated and bored.

 

[Jurassic Wolf]

They are bantams the biggest one is about 2 lbs. the smallest is 7 oz. and we are planning on getting them a 8x5 run sometime this spring. How come they haven't been bored before? also they have some toys in there

 

[Chickenaddition]

They are bantams the biggest one is about 2 lbs. the smallest is 7 oz. and we are planning on getting them a 8x5 run sometime this spring. How come they haven't been bored before? also they have some toys in there

Hello Jurassic Wolf, Chickens as they grow will slowly require more space than they did before. A small space that was good when they were younger will be too small as they grow. While toys help, chickens just like people have a bubble. When they are constantly breaking into that bubble fights occur. I understand that you are letting them out but one hour out of 24 isn't going to have that much of an impact on a tight space that they are confined to for 23 of those hours in the day. I am not trying to be too negative or trying to state you are doing things wrong, but simply stating that being confined to a small space with others is a recipe for fighting.

 

[Jurassic Wolf]

K thanks for your help, we will try to get the 5x8 run soon. Any idea if the missing feathers on her neck are molting or feather picking?

 

[Chickenaddition]

Right now I am leaning to feather picking. Molting is usually around 18 weeks. 32 weeks is a bit far off. Not completely saying it's impossible, simply saying improbable. Due to tight quarters and the issues that come with it, feather picking seems more probable.

 

[Jurassic Wolf]

k thanks