Does anyone know what may have happened here?

[sandburRanch]

So… my speckled Sussex today has the same head wound. Bloody comb, bloody head, missing feathers. And she’s very bullied by my jerk hen, my biggest, a wyandotte. I guess I’ve got my culprit.

But, on a better note, we built a ton of new perches today and have a ton of new treats and toys coming in tomorrow. New foraging stuff too. Thanks everyone for the tips!

Take note on roosting habits . Who's roosting next to bulley . Who has the bloody head .

This thread reminds me of my late father telling me to not allow Guineas to roost with chickens . Some chickens are certain to get the bloody head .

 

[Feathersitter]

Maybe she stuck her head in or through something and injured herself. I check around to see if that may be a possibility. I wish her a speedy recovery.

 

[Sylie]

So… my speckled Sussex today has the same head wound. Bloody comb, bloody head, missing feathers. And she’s very bullied by my jerk hen, my biggest, a wyandotte. I guess I’ve got my culprit.

But, on a better note, we built a ton of new perches today and have a ton of new treats and toys coming in tomorrow. New foraging stuff too. Thanks everyone for the tips!

Yep, I'll just bet it's her. Keep an eye on her or everyone in your flock will wind up that way. I think the perches are a great idea, all of the toys etc. The wyandotte may end up being the one needing separating if she does this to all of the flock. Do you happen to know where this wyandotte is in the pecking order prior to the attacks?

I'm so glad to hear that the first one is doing better, I sure hope the sussex will fare just as well. Keep up the good work, it sounds like you have this under control. Make sure to update us as the girls heal and if there are more attacks.

 

[cackleberryandco]

rhis must have been so anxiety inducing. I’m glad it’s just a bully hen and not a real crafty predator! Would you mind sending pics of their run When you update it? I’m really interested in how you’ve changed it! Maybe because I want inspiration…

I'd love to! I'll take some pics in the morning! As long as I can summon the strength to go outside.. the high tomorrow is only 35. So much for spring

 

[cackleberryandco]

Maybe she stuck her head in or through something and injured herself. I check around to see if that may be a possibility. I wish her a speedy recovery.

I've been looking into that too. Trying to find any sharp edges in my coop

 

[cackleberryandco]

Yep, I'll just bet it's her. Keep an eye on her or everyone in your flock will wind up that way. I think the perches are a great idea, all of the toys etc. The wyandotte may end up being the one needing separating if she does this to all of the flock. Do you happen to know where this wyandotte is in the pecking order prior to the attacks?

I'm so glad to hear that the first one is doing better, I sure hope the sussex will fare just as well. Keep up the good work, it sounds like you have this under control. Make sure to update us as the girls heal and if there are more attacks.

I think she's always been on top, but she's always left Peck and my easter egger alone so I kind of assumed they were all on the same level or at least had some kind of mutual respect. But perhaps Daphne (my big mean wyandotte) has decided to disregard that. The easter egger seems fine though.

The Sussex is definitely way down at the bottom, so when this showed up on her too, that's when I finally realized this was likely Daphne's doing. I understand pecking is normal in the pecking order, but Daphne actively chases some down and goes out of her way to harm them. It just seems unnecessary. She mostly just targets my Sussex and my two little sweet buff brahma bantams, one of which has got a little bald spot on the side of her head which I suspect came from Daphne. But I also found this picture of them yesterday in the coop, cuddling.

Surely she isn't all mean? I don't know. She's very loving and kind to me. I'm hoping my new attempts at distractions and entertainment will calm things down, because I don't want to have to consider rehoming.

 

[sandburRanch]

" I typed that up in the car on my way to work. "

I read this line several times and then thought to myself ; Holly surely has voice type enabled .

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I think she's always been on top, but she's always left Peck and my easter egger alone so I kind of assumed they were all on the same level or at least had some kind of mutual respect. But perhaps Daphne (my big mean wyandotte) has decided to disregard that. The easter egger seems fine though.

The Sussex is definitely way down at the bottom, so when this showed up on her too, that's when I finally realized this was likely Daphne's doing. I understand pecking is normal in the pecking order, but Daphne actively chases some down and goes out of her way to harm them. It just seems unnecessary. She mostly just targets my Sussex and my two little sweet buff brahma bantams, one of which has got a little bald spot on the side of her head which I suspect came from Daphne. But I also found this picture of them yesterday in the coop, cuddling.View attachment 3037864
Surely she isn't all mean? I don't know. She's very loving and kind to me. I'm hoping my new attempts at distractions and entertainment will calm things down, because I don't want to have to consider rehoming.

Looks like the wyandotte has the other hen in a headlock
If she is the culprit I've heard that separating the bully for a while can bring them down in the pecking order. Don't quote me though

 

[cackleberryandco]

I read this line several times and then thought to myself ; Holly surely has voice type enabled .

I may be a little bit illiterate

 

[cackleberryandco]

Looks like the wyandotte has the other hen in a headlock
If she is the culprit I've heard that separating the bully for a while can bring them down in the pecking order. Don't quote me though

I think the bantam was forcing her way under her wing... I was impressed by her patience!

Someone else in this thread did mention that. I definitely think it may be worth a shot, especially if injuries continue to occur