Hi, I am new to this form. We have 7 hens we raised from chicks. They are just laying hens. One is being pecked and picked on by the others. They are pecking her hind end and she is losing her feathers and the rear area is really getting bear and I am afraid that it will get infected or something like that. The behavior is getting worse. Any idea's? Thank you so much for any help.
Hello and Welcome To BYC! There is a nice article in the Learning Center on Bully behavior in chickens and what you can do to help prevent it https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/bullying-behavior-in-chickens Bored hens are really prone to starting this, and doing what you can to keep them entertained helps, removing the bully for a few days to knock them down in the pecking order sometimes works also. Pinless Peepers will usually put a stop to it if nothing else works. You might try spraying the bare skin of the plucked bird with something like Blu-Kote, that won't stop but it sometimes helps slow down the plucking.
Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help. X2 on Kelsie's advice. If it starts bleeding, then you'll ned to remove her until it heals. Make sure they have lots of protein.
Welcome to Backyard chickens. If you do need to remove the hen from the situation so she can heal, maybe you could keep her safe inside a dog crate, so they can see her but, not hurt her. That way she stays a member of the flock. Since it is more than one that pecks her, I think all of them should have the benefit of wearing pinless peepers to adjust their blood lust.
Good morning and welcome to BYC! Kelsie2290 and drumstick diva have given you some good advice, hope it helps. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Nice to have you join us!
The coop is pretty large, in fact we just enlarged it and they have lot's of room. I will try some of the food examples. I am pretty it is more than one that is doing the pecking. Thank you so much for the information the article was helpful.
Welcome! I'm glad you joined our BYC "flock". I'm sorry to hear about your picked-on hen. Is she acting normal otherwise, other than the missing feathers? Sometimes chickens start picking on birds that are sick or otherwise weaker.
I'm glad you joined our community! I'm sorry about your picking problems. The other members have given some good advice.
