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Help my hens are fighting!

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by BLaBauve, Jun 21, 2010.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jun 21, 2010 #1
    BLaBauve

    BLaBauve Songster

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    I had to remove my Wyandotte from the flock because of bumblefoot treatments. She was away from the flock for about a week. Today, when I brought her back in she promptly got into a fight with another Wyandotte hen. The 2 of them were raised together and have always gotten along. She didn't have an issue with any of the other hens. At first I thought ok, they'll bump chests a few times and be fine. Well they were pretty vicious grabbing at each others faces drawing blood several times. So of course I separated them. I put the wyandotte with bumblefoot in a pop up play pen inside the run.

    Any clue how long this will go on or what I can do? I never have this problem when I introduce younger chicks, they just assume the subordinate position. But I guess this hen would like a better spot within the flock. Any thoughts are appreciated.

    Thanks!
     
  2. Jun 21, 2010 #2
    lishah2000

    lishah2000 Songster 10 Years

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    I had two hens start fighting one day and they were hurting each other - fighting like the boys do. Have no idea why, but I couldn't get them to stop. They have been together since hatching. Nether very high in the order. Their roo was just standing there screaming.

    I finally chased their roo out of the coop and called my free-range roo. He walked into the coop like he was in charge. They stopped fighting and have been fine since. He never did anything other than walk in. (The hens are familiar with him - he sleeps in the same coop, just in a section of his own).

    Not much help, but I never did figure out why they started fighting in the first place.
     
  3. Jun 21, 2010 #3
    dawg53

    dawg53 Humble Premium Member 9 Years

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    I ran into that same problem when I was treating a few of my hens for bumblefoot. When one of them healed, I'd sneak her out into the henhouse in the middle of the night and put her on a perch. Then next morning everything was normal routine for everyone. It worked for me, it might work for you. Your pop up playpen is a good idea too. It'll give them time to get used to each other again. It'll be trial and error for you as far as when you can release her back with the others. When you do, I'd suggest you keep an eye on them. Good luck.
     
  4. Jun 21, 2010 #4
    BLaBauve

    BLaBauve Songster

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    Thanks for the ideas. I was amazed how vicious they were.... the more you held one back the more they wanted to fight. I hope things get better. . .
     
  5. Jun 21, 2010 #5
    justtoni44

    justtoni44 Songster

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    I have had success with putting them in at night also.
    Always do that with my newbies.
    Good Luck
     
  6. Jun 21, 2010 #6
    BLaBauve

    BLaBauve Songster

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    What's weird is they are fine with the new chickens (I put in 2 bantams yesterday). They just have it out for each other.... they totally ignore the new comers. I guess they aren't much of a threat.
     

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