Comb bloody & dangling this morning - a Hen Fight?

[CrazyTownChick]

They might. It wouldn't surprise me. Chickens will pick at other chickens for little things.

Maybe we’ll keep her in the pen inside the coop tonight, then tomorrow after treating it let her run with the flock. We’ll have to keep an eye on everyone o make sure she’s not abused. Almost impossible to do.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

No beak crack I didn’t not believe. It’s 90+ degrees here today so all their beaks are open.

Good to know. I thought maybe it was cracked. If it is, then I'd just keep watch on that too.

They may pick at her comb depending on what it looks like, sometimes shiny ointment can be attractive. Some may pick at the scabs, but you can try it out and see what happens.

 

[CrazyTownChick]

Good to know. I thought maybe it was cracked. If it is, then I'd just keep watch on that too.

They may pick at her comb depending on what it looks like, sometimes shiny ointment can be attractive. Some may pick at the scabs, but you can try it out and see what happens.

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Thanks for checking in. I saw that also, it’s gone now. She had dried blood in a couple places around her ears and eyes. We are still mystified as to exactly what happened.
This morning after treatment with veterycin and neosporin, she was looking pretty good. The scabs seemed like they were starting to heal so we thought we’d let her in the run with the flick which she clearly wanted. But we kept a very close eye on her. Sure enough s couple of the other girls started to give her a head peck. Enough to make it bleed a little. The one white leghorn who may be the perp ran up to her aggressively and tried to do a chest bump with her wings out “I’m the queen of the castle!”
(Pecking order fight? do they start to fight more as they get older? They’re only 2 and they have plenty of ample space to run and hang out.)
I intervened as soon as I saw that and pushed the aggressive girls away with a sharp “no, stop that”. I picked up our little patient and took her out to clean her up and then we put her back in her hospital room for protection.
Honestly these girls have no family values, no compassion. So disappointed.
So tonight our patient, Moosetracks, is safe in her locked hospital room in the coop and Foggy (possibly the perp? but too aggressive either way) is locked up in a crate near her to hopefully quell her aggressive tendencies. Both tucked in the locked coop. Thinking about keeping Foggy locked up for a day or two.
Any more thoughts?

 

[Yardmom]

It is not unusual for there to be pecking order fights after a hen has been isolated (even in a cage in sight). My younger hens scuffle more than my older hens. It is definitely a challenge to reintegrate an injured bird. Hopefully isolating the worst aggressor will help.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sounds like normal pecking order behavior to me.
I've seen plenty of fights, aggressions and drama. Never had another hen rip off anothers'. The only time I've seen torn combs, wattles or ears on hens was when they got hung up or cut on wire, a staple or nail. Not saying it can't happen but that's my experience.

A lot of folks try the time out, hope it works for you. I usually let them battle it out, but that's me.

 

[Barnycat]

You did the right thing. It very well could have been one aggresive peck, then blood appeared. Then bully hen saw blood and continues to peck until it got to this point.

Yes, it be a viscous circle in the henhouse. Isolation is the best solution until she mends enough that they won’t peck on her Injury.

 

[Barnycat]

If I let her hang out with the other girls in the coop tonight do you think any of them would pack at the dried blood on top of her head where the comb used to be I’m just concerned that they might. I got a new phone and it’s changing all my words to other words so I hope I’m making sense

If you let her spend the night with the other hens on the roost, she’d probably be OK until dawn when they start running around. It’s unlikely you’d be able to get out there in time to remove her that early in the morning— at least I know it would be difficult for me!

 

[CrazyTownChick]

If you let her spend the night with the other hens on the roost, she’d probably be OK until dawn when they start running around. It’s unlikely you’d be able to get out there in time to remove her that early in the morning— at least I know it would be difficult for me!

Update:
We’re keeping her in a separate crate at night in the coop and part of the day n the run. She’s got a scab in the top of her head. The rest of flock is picking on her - so frustrating !
Not sure what else to do we’re trying to protect her from being bullied but we can’t be there every minute.
And keeping her in the crate means she’s lost her place in the flock. So do you protect her or risk her being alienated from the flock ??

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If they are going for the scabs, then you'll have to wait until she heals to try to re-introduce her.

 

[Barnycat]

Update:
We’re keeping her in a separate crate at night in the coop and part of the day n the run. She’s got a scab in the top of her head. The rest of flock is picking on her - so frustrating !
Not sure what else to do we’re trying to protect her from being bullied but we can’t be there every minute.
And keeping her in the crate means she’s lost her place in the flock. So do you protect her or risk her being alienated from the flock ??

The surest thing would be to separate her until scab has healed & fallen off. But I understand you can only do what you can do. Good luck!