Help!! my chicken was peaked to death on her head!

[izzybe3]

We put a batam with our black star babies and 3 hours later we found her head pecked really badly!!what should we do???plzz help!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Is the bird still alive? Your title says"pecked to death".

 

[TattooedChicks]

How old are your others chicks? If the age and size differences are vast they may not be kind to smaller, weaker birds.

 

[izzybe3]

yes, sorry...she is alive

 

[izzybe3]

How old are your others chicks? If the age and size differences are vast they may not be kind to smaller, weaker birds.

 

[izzybe3]

How old are your others chicks? If the age and size differences are vast they may not be kind to smaller, weaker birds.

she is 5 weeks older than them

 

[N8Yoder]

We put a batam with our black star babies and 3 hours later we found her head pecked really badly!!what should we do???plzz help!

My advice is to separate your injured chicken from the flock if she is badly injured with some of her sisters who you know to be non violent. Many times setting the pecking order can be scary for us.

We just combined two sets of birds. We combined 6 new pullets with my 5 adult birds. We had them in separate coops (in the same run) for 3 months so that they could see one another. We had each group fenced off from the other group. The big birds ignored them for the most part. When we combined them the smaller (new) birds all stuck together. From time to time one would venture too close to one of the bigger birds. The big birds would chase or peck at them. Fortunately - no one was bloodied during this process (although I have seen new flock members with bloodied combs before). The only time I have actually broken up a "pecking order dispute" was when one of my older chickens had another younger (newer chicken) pinned, wouldn't let her up, and was pecking her for more than 15 seconds. If you interrupt the pecking order process they will have to go through it again in the future.

To solve your issue: I have been told that you can remove the aggressive bird for 2 - 3 days and force them to become the "outsider".

Another option is to remove the newer birds, put them in an enclosure where the two flocks can see one another, and give them time to get to know each other that way. However, when you combine them they need to work out their "pecking order" again.

Finally - if they have established their pecking order through the bloody fight today you may find that her head heals and all you need to do is monitor the situation closely.

Sorry this is so wordy. Hope it helps.

 

[TattooedChicks]

she is 5 weeks older than them

But if they are bigger or more aggressive, being a bantam may be her downfall. I'd keep all birds separate until maturity, then carefully reintroduce over a supervised period. Treat her wounds by keeping them clean, and using neosporin or other antibiotics until the wound heals up a bit. Giving her electrolytes and extra protein will help boost her body in the meanwhile.