Help! Chicken pecking issues

[william81]

Not sure if this is the right thread for this. I have recently gotten into raising chickens for the eggs and have been having issues with one of them. She is tormented by a few other chickens, at first we thought it was out of boredom, or a pecking order. But things got a bit far and they pecked a hole into the side of her neck causing bleeding. We have separated her for a few weeks to heal her up, but i was wondering if it is possible to reintroduce her back into the flock or is it a lost cause?? I would post pictures but i do not have any at the moment. Any advise would be great.

 

[Pork Pie]

The kind of behaviour you describe is caused by environmental stressors, so unless you identify those and address them I personally would not re-introduce the victim bird. This link may be interesting

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1148824/topic-of-the-week-feather-pecking-eating

And this
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

 

[DyingPhoenix]

How long has this been going on? Where they all raised together?

If it were me, I would let her heal like you're already doing but when reintroduced watch carefully. I had this problem and there was a main instigator that started the abuse, the others would just join in.

I separated the bully for a week or two and that dropped her down on the pecking order. When I put her back the problem solved itself because she had other things to worry about.

Once a wound is visible, even the more innocent chickens will hop in like piranhas.

 

[william81]

How long has this been going on? Where they all raised together?

If it were me, I would let her heal like you're already doing but when reintroduced watch carefully. I had this problem and there was a main instigator that started the abuse, the others would just join in.

I separated the bully for a week or two and that dropped her down on the pecking order. When I put her back the problem solved itself because she had other things to worry about.

Once a wound is visible, even the more innocent chickens will hop in like piranhas.

Yes all the chickens were raised together and they were doing fine for the longest time in the same area. We noticed they would peck at her when going for food so figured it was a pecking order. So we left it alone to see if it would work out on its own. Not long after i took more notice and seen it was bleeding and it escalated more from there. So we separated her from the group in a new pen to help heal her. But I will try the separating of the bully(s) and see how that goes. Hopefully it works out for the best.