Getting pecked to pieces

[mcDuck]

Ok, so for future thread followers, the removal if two aggressors for 6 days seems to have done the trick. New leader in the house, ( although she's starting to look raggedy as a result of MORE molting going on- actually three are in various stages of undress... But for now bad hair is not causing brutal cannibalistic attacks. Ah, peace in the henhouse. Clearly though, one should invest in a container which can be used for isolation purposes on an ongoing basis. Those horrible looking plastic dog houses seem like a good bet- light and portable and raccoon proof for the perpetrator.

 

[The Yakima Kid]

You can always invest in bumpa bits for the bullies if they restart when put back in. Omlet sells them. After a week or two of firing blanks, I've had good luck with the aggressors mellowing out. I did have to rehome one biddy who just didn't learn and was also human avoidant. She came to me as a Black Star but was heavier, had a longer curving neck, and laid dark speckled eggs and was very flighty - I think she was really the Marans that was believed to be missing from the shipment.

I love peace in the coop so much I only keep the calmer of the American and British breeds.

 

[mcDuck]

Well end of the story is not so good. After peace apparently reigned for about three days, the original victim- though now fully feathered and in good shape- suddenly turned up with a giant hole in her head from what must have been a massive attack. She is alive but I am going to rehome her after she heals, as apparently she won't be accepted by the other four, they have PLENTY of space, a ridiculously nice and varied diet and toys. Blukote or it's variants were useless. She is gentle and sweet and was a strong layer. But gentle doesn't cut it with the thugs I apparently have raised from day olds till now. I feel bad about the bullies winning but I guess that's again a perfect mirror to humans, it's sad and disturbing, I think my most overriding query is what happened? Why did this emerge after almost two years together?