Head Injury

[MurphFarm]

One of our ladies has had a head injury. We are unsure if she was attacked in the coop or if she got stuck in wire. She has been bleeding from her comb.
We cleaned her up and separated her for two days. She is eating, drinking and has laid an egg separated aka we think she is healthy. We put her back in the coop today. We found her bleeding again this evening!!

Should we keep her separated until it heals? Any tips on what to do?

 

[theoldchick]

Sounds like the other hens are bullying her. Might have to rehome her or build another pen to let her live in.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

She is prob being picked on, that is normal separate her till she is FULLY healed.

 

[Isaac 0]

Repeated head injuries likely indicate bullying from her other flock members. The more established the wound becomes, the more likely it is to advance. Separating her from the flock may be suggested, but it needs to be done in a manner to allow the other hens to be able to see and walk near her. Completely, isolating her from the flock will exacerbate the pecking once you integrate her back in the pen with them. A dab of Blue-Kote on the comb wound may discourage further pecking.

Emphasis should be put on addressing the underlying cause of the bullying. Most often the problem is related to boredom, and lack of space; this is especially true during the wintertime when birds are enclosed in close quarters. In the wild, most of a chicken's days consist of foraging; without it, other behaviors become more emphasized such as pecking, or bully. Increasing space, hanging treats, throwing down scratch in the run, setting up dust bathes, or setting up hay bales to climb on, are simple additions that will keep them better occupied. As a precautionary measure, you may check and see if they are actually getting their head stuck in wire, which could cause bleeding as well.