Dominant hen suddenly being pecked at

[smills4635]

I have a small flock of 3 hens in the city. They've been together from chicks and have always gotten along (they are just reaching a year old). I have an Easter egger, a black Austrolorp and the dominant, a buff Orpington. They have a very secure run and coop, and I don't usually lock them up in the coop, but last night I saw 3 raccoons in the neighbors yard, so I locked them in. I don't know if that has anything to do with it, but today the buff is being attacked by the other 2. They've pecked at the sides of her head and she's even bleeding a bit. I brought her inside and when I tried to put her back, she was afraid to go in. What's happening? I've brought her back inside for now but I can't really keep her in here. I've brought the brooder inside for now. Thanks for any help! Side note, she's LOVING being in the house! but the dog and cat aren't very happy about it!

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

that just sounds like chickens to me...

 

[smills4635]

They've never done this before. And they've definitely have never drawn blood.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Sometimes the pecking order falls apart. If all the chickens below her fight her then she’ll be overpowered. How many chickens do you have?

I have a small flock of 3 hens in the city. They've been together from chicks and have always gotten along (they are just reaching a year old). I have an Easter egger, a black Austrolorp and the dominant, a buff Orpington. They have a very secure run and coop, and I don't usually lock them up in the coop, but last night I saw 3 raccoons in the neighbors yard, so I locked them in. I don't know if that has anything to do with it, but today the buff is being attacked by the other 2. They've pecked at the sides of her head and she's even bleeding a bit. I brought her inside and when I tried to put her back, she was afraid to go in. What's happening? I've brought her back inside for now but I can't really keep her in here. I've brought the brooder inside for now. Thanks for any help! Side note, she's LOVING being in the house! but the dog and cat aren't very happy about it!

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Sometimes the pecking order falls apart. If all the chickens below her fight her then she’ll be overpowered. How many chickens do you have?

Oh wait. Sorry I just reread it. You have three chickens. Since it’s a small flock the pecking order can easily change

 

[smills4635]

I just put her back and I think the Easter egger, the smallest one, is causing all the trouble. Buffy, the one I'm worried about, was genuinely afraid of her. What could be making the order change and how far should I let it go? I took the Easter egger out now and the other 2 seem ok so far together. These are my first girls and I'm still learning. I was so proud to get them all through the first winter for us all!

 

[Ducksandchickens]

I just put her back and I think the Easter egger, the smallest one, is causing all the trouble. Buffy, the one I'm worried about, was genuinely afraid of her. What could be making the order change and how far should I let it go? I took the Easter egger out now and the other 2 seem ok so far together. These are my first girls and I'm still learning. I was so proud to get them all through the first winter for us all!

Let them figure it out themselves. Only interfere if they are causing blood to spill or a chicken has become seriously injured

 

[smills4635]

There was blood. That was what first alerted me to the situation. Buffy, the dominant and biggest girl, was bleeding near her left wattle. I'm going to put the offender back today and see how it goes.