Found dead 4.5 mth pullet

[ChickenPooDo]

I had 2 Copper Marans that were 4 1/2 mths old that had been with my older hens & my rooster (1 year old). Except for a few squabbles everyone seemed to be fine. I was letting the older ones out during the day, but closing the run door so the younger ones couldn't get out to get taken by a hawk and leaving the door to the coop open so the older ones could still access the run with smaller 2 for water, lay eggs ect... The younger ones couldn't figure out to go through coop the get ouside. When I went out this afternoon I found one copper maran dead. Her vent area looked a little bloody but I don't know if they did that after she was dead or if they killed her. I didn't see a lot of feathers, and other than the vent area she didn't appear to have any other injuries. I am so sad and if they killed her disappointed. The other one seemed fine, but I'm worried if they killed her that they will go after the 2nd one. And now she's all alone. They are about half the size of my full size hens. Anyone else ever have smaller hens get attacked like that? I have 3 groups of smaller chicks besides the copper marans and I don't know what I'm going to do, I don't have 3 different coops for them

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your pullet. I have several BCMs and they can be more aggressive in the flock. Vent pecking can easily lead to cannibalism, so it's possible that she died from that. I would get a wire dog crate, and put food and water in it to keep her safe until she is older and they are used to seeing her. Then with any ages you must let them out to free range together with your supervision to make sure they are not bullied.

 

[ChickenPooDo]

Sorry about your pullet. I have several BCMs and they can be more aggressive in the flock. Vent pecking can easily lead to cannibalism, so it's possible that she died from that. I would get a wire dog crate, and put food and water in it to keep her safe until she is older and they are used to seeing her. Then with any ages you must let them out to free range together with your supervision to make sure they are not bullied. 

Yeah I had them in a metal dog crate for about a week inside run/coop, then I sectioned off part of run and after about a week I found they had snuck out and in with older ones. Everyone seemed fine for over a week now. I'm wondering if she died of natural causes because they've been socializing for about 3 weeks now.

 

[Eggcessive]

Yeah I had them in a metal dog crate for about a week inside run/coop, then I sectioned off part of run and after about a week I found they had snuck out and in with older ones. Everyone seemed fine for over a week now. I'm wondering if she died of natural causes because they've been socializing for about 3 weeks now.

Your hen may have have a prolapsed vent in which the insides stick out an inch or two. Since others will peck at red, they may attack that and peck the vent. Egg binding can also occur with prolapse or without it, and they can die of that. Without a necropsy, it would be hard to guess why she died. It would be good to watch for any more vent pecking though.