HELP! New Hens Pecked to Bald Spots by Flock

[few50704]

Hi, I recently added two extremely sweet Polish Candy Corn pullets to my flock of four. I introduced them slowly, but as soon as I put them in with the rest of the flock they were definitely put at the bottom of the pecking order (which I expected), but my boss hens completely pecked away bald spots on the top of their heads. It freaked me out a bit because I wasn’t sure if this amount of aggression was normal. I am treating them with wound spray. I also separated them for now. Is this normal? Should I worry? Thanks!

 

[coach723]

Polish are known for getting picked on and feather picked on the crest, it seems to attract other birds. If the crests are imparing their vision at all that also makes them less likely to see the others coming, so you may have to trim the crest feathers. I've even seen them done up like pony tails on top of the head to help them see. I would separate them again, let them heal, and then take your reintegration even slower. If you can separate the space by fence or wire and feed both groups on the fence line on opposite sides, so they are eating "together" but no one can get hurt, that sometimes helps. It takes as long as it takes and there is no way to predict. When they are all pretty much ignoring each other, then try supervised time together and see how it goes. If it goes badly, then you have to go back and give it more time.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would have to "assume" the other hens are not Polish?
You may find that you need to house the Polish separate from other birds due to picking.

Wound spray should be fine to use. I would also give the Polish poultry vitamins that contain Vitamin E and B1 like Poultry Cell a couple of times a week since they were pecked in the head.

 

[few50704]

I would have to "assume" the other hens are not Polish?
You may find that you need to house the Polish separate from other birds due to picking.

Wound spray should be fine to use. I would also give the Polish poultry vitamins that contain Vitamin E and B1 like Poultry Cell a couple of times a week since they were pecked in the head.

Thanks! Yup, the others are not polish.

 

[few50704]

Polish are known for getting picked on and feather picked on the crest, it seems to attract other birds. If the crests are imparing their vision at all that also makes them less likely to see the others coming, so you may have to trim the crest feathers. I've even seen them done up like pony tails on top of the head to help them see. I would separate them again, let them heal, and then take your reintegration even slower. If you can separate the space by fence or wire and feed both groups on the fence line on opposite sides, so they are eating "together" but no one can get hurt, that sometimes helps. It takes as long as it takes and there is no way to predict. When they are all pretty much ignoring each other, then try supervised time together and see how it goes. If it goes badly, then you have to go back and give it more time.

Thanks! My alpha hen is like this to all new members, and it usually gets better pretty quickly, but I definitely think the polish crest is making it worse.