Do you have to separate one who's being picked on?

[CamillaRules]

My girls are all 11 months old this month. Little "Lonesome Dove" is the smallest and she's being picked on. She has always gone off on her own when they're free in the yard. But the poor girl's head and back of the neck are bald. I put some BLue Kote on it, so now she actually looks more like the others with her purple head...4 of them are maybe Lakenvelder crosses, so they are white with black heads and tails.

So now that I've dosed her with blue kote do I have to separate her from the flock at night too? I feel so bad for her. I don't think they're pecking at her anymore. Help?

 

[rstampa]

They usually peck at night and in the morning before you let them out. Most times she can escape them while free ranging. If you think they stopped picking on her then just keep a eye out for any abuse for the others. If you think see is being overly abused, then I would separate her completely from the others. Otherwise they will kill her. The call is yours of cause. Sometimes when they have been separated for a period of time you can reintroduce her into the flock and they my except her at that time.
Hope this helps a little.

 

[CamillaRules]

Thank you. I noticed last night that when they were all beginning to roost the hatch door into the run was still open and she kept going out there alone, until it got dark, so your tip about being picked on at night makes sense. The run is locked, so I can leave the hatch open a bit longer until everyone's bedded down. I'll continue to monitor her and try to keep her safe. I feel a little weird, being so worried about a chicken, but I really do love them.

 

[carrlr]

I would separate her right away. Then if possible, and once healed, bring her back where she can be close. Say separated by just a fence.

 

[PriceFamilyFarms]

my littlest girl looks like she's at the top of the pecking order..she was 2 weeks younger when I put her in the brooder and she has been the dominate one from the beginning

 

[CamillaRules]

If I separate her when they are in the run, is it ok to still let her free range with the rest of them when they're all out? I noticed Lenore, my black hen, ran all the way across the yard to peck her on the head again. What the deuce? Lenore is turning into a bully.

 

[Supermommy486]

I just had to do this also. My ONE silkie is bald on her head and back. She is separated till she heals and then I will try to reintroduce her.

 

[NeeleysAVLChicks]

Keep a close eye on who is being the primary bully. If its Lenore, I would suggest a different route and put Lenore in chicken time out (a pen away from the rest of the birds where she can't see or hear the other birds) for 2-3 days, then stick her back in. Her absence will knock her down a little on the chicken totem pole and mix up the pecking order a little bit. I would try this with all the bullies, don't pen them together though, all separate for a couple days, then put them back in.

 

[CamillaRules]

Quote:
Thank you, I'll give it a try. Wish me luck!