Help Needed Please! Chicken Aggression Escalating!

[KellyLyn]

Not sure where to best Post this problem. While (what I suspect are) the (2) EEs have always looked a bit scruffy with feathers missing - their condition has been getting much worse - one of the hens practically was bald and bloody this morning; my (2) Red's butts are obviously getting defeathered now too and they had always been relatively untouched. I will try to get everyone's wounds Blu-Koted tonight - but...

I have (1) black Australorp (Regina) that is in pristine condition (coincidence?) I haven't seen her be overly aggressive - but she and the (5) youngest pullets are the only ones untouched now.

If I put Regina in Time-Out for a week or so does that mean more aggression as the next "queen" steps into place and then more again when Regina is re-introduced? Or am I over-thinking this? (My DH a long time chicken keeper tells me to ignore it and let the strongest survive.... sigh).

They have plenty of space in both Run and Coop by any chicken math. The (5) newest had been living (separated by wire) with the flock in the coop for a month or so and were let out several weeks ago - they tend to keep to themselves and the older hens haven't paid them much attention at all. If the next generation are the cause of the stress - why are my established EE's getting beat up?

Advice from others in similar situations is appreciated. Thank you!

 

[chicmom]

Do you have a rooster?

 

[abserbean]

Feather picking is very hard to stop, and it usually starts or escalates with new stress (such as adding new chicks). The top dog hen with the best feathers is usually the culprit, and it often happens at night on the roost so you may not see it. I have tried new roosts and extra free range time to keep my birds from getting bored, but I'm still seeing two hens with bald bottoms. I know some say to cull a feather picker, b/c it is so hard to get them to stop. It started with my hens when we added new chicks, even though they are in a separate adjacent pen it was enough to set it off. I have noticed improvement with blue kote on the areas and new added roosts, but it hasn't stopped. Good luck!

 

[KellyLyn]

Aargh! Yep, could be the second generation trying to move up the roost ladder and Regina beats up whomever is nearby - sigh.

I guess she get's renamed Maleficent and I keep my eyes on her; here's hoping that everyone heals up and things settle back down eventually.

 

[KellyLyn]

My Avatar picture was taken before the Great Predator Attack of 2013 when I lost the majority of my flock (and the rooster).
I had only 5 hens left (before I added 5 this year.) I am trying to continue roosterless by choice though.
Think a male would stop the aggression?

 

[KellyLyn]

Update:

• Bluekote'd all plucked-red patches on entire flock
• replaced highest roost perch with much longer version
• added toys, daily scratch, large tree limbs to run to keep them busier
• added a raised veggie garden (covered with mesh)

September:
feathers aren't really grown back - so is either ongoing or permanent damage? But at least situation has stabilized and the most picked on isn't getting worse.

 

[abserbean]

From what I understand, if the feather shaft breaks it won't grow back until they molt. If is completely pulled out, than it should grow. My hens don't have any new feather loss, and their bums aren't read anymore, but they are still a little bald on their bottoms. Good luck!

 

[centrarchid]

Show a picture of roost.