Shame it doesn't show who started it.3 Rounds of Out and Out Brawling
I am beside myself right now and I definitely need some advice. I have no idea what is going on but all out warfare broke out today between Hattie and Aurora. That's right Hattie. I can't believe it.
They went 3 rounds that I have seen. Lilly broke up the first two by wading into the fight. I filmed the 3rd one in which Lilly was actually involved as it broke out. No joke, they looked like roosters going at it. I have never seen anything like this.
Here is the video of the 3rd bout. I'm putting most of this behind a spoiler. I did not intervene. I need to know if everyone thinks that is the right policy moving forward. They are each wounded. The wounds are not serious, they are their combs up by their beaks. I will also put photos of the wounds behind spoilers.
Patsy and Jabber never fought like this. It is quite vicious.
About 30 minutes after the fight, this is how the flock is grouped.
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I'm looking for anyone with experience with something like this or even just common sense. @Shadrach I am guessing that roosters don't let this happen but maybe not. Any thoughts?
Roosters do let this type of scrap happen. What's more, if it's two hens from different tribes the roosters will back up their hen. But, usually as soon as the rooster steps in the fight stops. A lot depends on the hen.
Dink and Bluespot didn't get on. Different tribes and both the main sitters and hatchers for their tribe. Two mums basically. Blue Spot had a go at Dink and Dink fought back and was a lot more than Blue Spot had reckoned on. Along came Punch and then Harold. Dink took them all on. Harold put a stop to it by having a go at Blue Spot and then Punch. Blue Spot and Harold used to fight most mornings for a couple of months immediately after I set them free.
Bottom line; hens fight just like roosters.
The injuries are very minor Bob.
What you now know which you may not have known before is when the shit hits the fan Lilly is boss. That might help you later.
What you have to watch for is one hen getting isolated.
You get involved with chicken politics at a great risk. I let them fight. If they don't get it out of their system it will just boil over some other time. I intervene when bits are getting ripped off and they are still fighting. They usually go again, but so far, with the hens at least, one already knows she's lost and the next round doesn't last long.
My thoughs are look away if you find it distressing and patch them up when it's over. If it goes on and on day after day then you have to make a very hard decision; one will have to go. Here that means I have to kill one. It's not a good place to find yourself. I won't elaborate.