Help! One of my hens is getting picked on by the others.

[jmetter]

We have five hens, about a year old. They've been together happily since they were day old chicks. Today, I noticed one of them getting picked on by the others, mostly by a single bully. The victim's comb and wattles are bloodied. She doesn't fight back and just tries to avoid the others.

Questions:
How do I restore peace?
What should I do in the meantime?
Should I put some Neosporin antibiotic ointment on her comb and wattles?

I've got the victim separated from the others, but we're not set up to have multiple coops, etc. May have to throw something together temporarily. I'm thinking I at least want to give her time to heal.

Thanks in advance for your help…

 

[goldysgirl]

I have had similar problems in the past and am trying to work one out right now. We initially planned for one hen house but have ended up with 2 addition pens/houses which were created to separate birds who do not get along. I was able to reassimilate one injured hen by making her a coat to cover a wound on her back. I had tried to reintroduce her many times and the other birds always remembered where her injury had been and went right back to picking, even after she had be separated for 6 months...they must have really good memories. Some people have recommended topicals to discourage pecking (bluekote? ) but I have never tried that. I hope you find a solution soon. It is so stressful when you have sick/injured birds.