Help - my three hens are fighting,pecking and pulling each other crops

[wendybrasfield]

Hi everyone -
Please can you send me some advise?
We have all lived in harmony until this morning. Four hens are two years old and 4 are one years old.
This morning I found the older hens pecking at each others heads and pulling combs. No one was picking on one hen only, they all just pecked each other out on the grass. They must have been at it for some time as all three were translike and didn't even fluff a feather when I came up to them. All three are now in separate enclosures and calming down.
This is all of the sudden! What is happening?
The other 5 hens just go about their business.....
Some info on the three in the past few days......one was brooding so I toss her off next box, the other spent night away from flock in the shed by accident and the third is main hen.......
Thanks for any information.
No blood shed to date.....

 

[columbiacritter]

Are they crowded? Were they fighting over a treat? Mine will get real nasty with each ohter over a paticularly good snack, like a snake.

When you put them back together I would make sure there's a big distraction. Extra yummy eats spread around their run. Something to keep them happy together until their chicken brains forget about fighting.

 

[wendybrasfield]

Hens have lots of room to roam safe and food etc.
This was an "All of the sudden" thing which has me wondering "what is up"
I will buy treats on way home.....
Any suggestions?
Thanks.