Co-Parents Turned Ugly - What to do?

[mrsmistoffelees02]

Hi everyone,

Last Monday, I had my first baby hatch, Thursday I added two more. I had two broody hens (both top of the pecking order) who decided to co-parent, they seemed so sweet together and did a great job managing the babies for the first few days. They even started sharing the nesting box and roosting together on the floor (after I transitioned the babies to the floor of the coop). Yesterday I noticed some tension, and when I got home today I noticed one of the moms was roosting with everyone else, and the one caring for the chicks had a bloody peck wound on her head. I know without a doubt the other “mom” did this, as none of the other chickens dare mess with these hens. Not sure why they would suddenly turn on eachother, but I’m wondering if I can clean up the injured one and leave them in the coop together, or if I need to quarantine the offender in a dog crate or something. I really don’t want to have to totally separate and reintegrate anyone, but I don’t want to risk coming home to a murder scene, either. First time blood has ever been drawn in my coop, so it was a little jarring.

Photo #1 was how sweet they were Saturday (2 days ago), photo #2 is wound inflicted today.

 

[mrsmistoffelees02]

@azygous @Iluveggers @Yardmom

Just wondering if any of you have any input since you helped me so much on my earlier post!

 

[The Birb King]

I dont think they need to be separated yet but keep an eye on them. Last year, I had 2 broody hens that I gave chicks and they did a good job raising them and both sat on the chicks at night. When the chicks were about 2-3 weeks old, one of the hens started roosting while the other hen sat on the chicks. They both still took care of them during the day, but only one slept on them at night.

 

[azygous]

Chickens are nothing if not fickle. Settling arguments with a peck on the head is how quarrels get settled in Chicken World. Usually that resolves the conflict, or you would see them still going at each other.

But, as @The birb king suggests, do keep an eye on them.

 

[mrsmistoffelees02]

@azygous @The birb king

Thank you for your input, I kind of figured it would have been worse if it was more than a quarrel, but the blood concerned me… I’ll keep a close eye on them, and if things get worse I’ll crate the offender.

I don’t want to stress mom and babies out by doing first aid on her, should I leave her be (it’s a pretty small wound) or do I need to clean her up so she doesn’t become a target? Might be a silly question, but again - first time blood has been drawn since I’ve kept chickens

 

[The Birb King]

There is barely any blood so I wouldn't worry about it too much. You could wipe the wound with a wet paper towel if you wanted to be safe though.

 

[mrsmistoffelees02]

There is barely any blood so I wouldn't worry about it too much. You could wipe the wound with a wet paper towel if you wanted to be safe though.

Will do. I appreciate your time!

 

[azygous]

Combs bleed a lot, just as scalp wounds do on humans. A tiny wound can appear more serious because they bleed more than other types of wounds.

Once, years ago, a rooster and three hen were all in a nest box together. Things went from amicable togetherness to a quarrel. After the dust settled, the nest box walls were splattered with blood and looked like a chicken had been slaughtered in there, but darned if I could find any serious wounds on anyone.

 

[The Birb King]

Combs bleed a lot, just as scalp wounds do on humans. A tiny wound can appear more serious because they bleed more than other types of wounds.

Once, years ago, a rooster and three hen were all in a nest box together. Things went from amicable togetherness to a quarrel. After the dust settled, the nest box walls were splattered with blood and looked like a chicken had been slaughtered in there, but darned if I could find any serious wounds on anyone.

Last winter one of my hens had a really bloody comb and I was not sure why. I cleaned her up and soon she was fine. What was your rooster doing in the nest box?

 

[Iluveggers]

They gave you great advice! If you do see the momma being picked on, you can offer her a small wired off area in the coop with her chicks, but if she it toward the top of the pecking order she will keep those babies safe if there’s a conflict.