Has my bird gone insane?

[Sonya9]

Like the other posts I don't think your hen killed her friend. I think she saw it and is now afraid to sleep in the coop (after a predator attack they are often terrified to sleep there). Plus chickens are night blind, they couldn't wage an attack in the dark even if they wanted to.

I would move the hen inside your house at night, spend time with her and think about getting her some new companions. You may be able to find breeders on craigslist that have adult birds available (they may not advertise their adult birds but if you contact them and ask they usually have some to sell, or know someone who does). Show breeders are another good source.

Your poor hen is likely extremely traumatized and now very lonely. That sort of psychological stress can kill so please take steps to make her more comfortable.

 

[Birdsong 82]

The only time I've seen a chicken (hen) try attack another after years of calm is if one is injured. I feel like that would have been noticed. Is it possible one was killed and the other was pecking at the other after

 

[Birdsong 82]

I'm sure lone hen is confused possibly frightened and chickens like company.

 

[Sonya9]

The only time I've seen a chicken (hen) try attack another after years of calm is if one is injured. I feel like that would have been noticed. Is it possible one was killed and the other was pecking at the other after

Exactly, and I don't see it happening quietly at night. A large hen may be able to dispatch a tiny chick quickly but not a bird the same age/size, it would take a lot of effort and a fair amount of time.

I think the poor remaining hen is likely severely traumatized and if she gets blamed for this it makes it even worse.

 

[Eggcessive]

Look for any spaces around doors or windows that have a space for a predator to get in. Last year someone has a small space between the top of the coop door and the coop, and lost half of his flock to weasels. What is the netting like around your coop. Do you have pictures of your set up? Since the hen is afraid to go into the coop, that is a good sign that something got in a killed her flock mate. Sorry for your loss.

 

[Birdsong 82]

Oh yeah. Didn't even think about the middle of the night thing. But that makes me feel like it's even less likely that it was the other chicken.