Hen being picked on and wounded.

[CB_ChickenGal]

Hi everyone! New poster, and new to chicken keeping in general.

I got a little hen pecking situation that I need some advice on. We have 5 hens, got them as day olds in June, so they all grew up together. Our coop is 4’x4’, and the run is 4’x16’.

I’ve never had any problems with aggression so far (as far as I could tell). And as of today one only hen has started laying, but the others seem close.

A couple of days ago we found hen A in the run with a bloody pecked earlobe, we took her in the house where she stayed in a crate for 4 days to heal. She still had a bit of a scab, but it wasn’t bleeding or red anymore, so we let everyone out to free range together and supervised their interactions. There was no outright targeted aggression, however when hen A and hen B were close, hen B would peck at her ear, and wattles, and hen A would freeze up and just take it. None of the other hens seemed to notice or care when around her.

We let hen A sleep in the coop that night, and took hen B inside to separate the bully.

This morning when we let them out, it all seemed well, they ate together and went off to do their thing, about an hour later we noticed hen A was bleeding again from her wounded ear.

So now we switch back hen A, and hen B.

I’m at a loss on what to do. I know chickens can be cruel, but I’m scared to leave them sort it out if blood is being drawn. I don’t want to have to rehome any of them. But I don’t understand why she’s being picked on this bad. She’s definitely the lowest in the pecking order, she’s a big pushover.

It’s also starting to get below 0 Celsius, and I don’t want to keep any of them in the house for too long in fear of them not being able to acclimate to the winter temperatures when I put them back.

I could really use some advice on how to handle this situation.

Thank you all in advance.
Photo is from the first day of her injury.

 

[GodLovesU]

Just a thought but if you got a rooster he could help establish a pecking order.He might beat up on them a little but it would stop the hen pecking.This is what I’ve heard, anyway.

 

[WingItRanch]

Just a thought but if you got a rooster he could help establish a pecking order.He might beat up on them a little but it would stop the hen pecking.This is what I’ve heard, anyway.

I have not found this to be the case. Roosters are typically not in the hen pecking order and have a separate dominance structure. Here's a good article about how to deal with a bully hen: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

 

[HollowOfWisps]

For how many hours are they locked in their coop at night? I’m guessing with the longer daylight hours they are being locked in for longer periods of time? Your coop is a tad on the small side at only 3.2 sq ft. per bird. Your chickens are getting to the age where their hormones start to really develop and the pecking order gets more firmly established. If they are locked in a small coop for too long it can increase the chances of bullying greatly.

 

[coach723]

My roo's generally don't intervene unless there is an all out hen boxing match, which isn't that common. I agree that space is often the issue. Even one dominant bird can make a space too small. Personalities and temperaments vary, and we can't control them. Providing adequate space (more than you think they need) is often the cure, it gives them space to spread out and gives the lower pecking order birds room to get away. Things tend to be much more peaceful.

 

[CB_ChickenGal]

For how many hours are they locked in their coop at night? I’m guessing with the longer daylight hours they are being locked in for longer periods of time? Your coop is a tad on the small side at only 3.2 sq ft. per bird. Your chickens are getting to the age where their hormones start to really develop and the pecking order gets more firmly established. If they are locked in a small coop for too long it can increase the chances of bullying greatly.

They go in the coop on their own around 4:40pm when it gets dark, and I let them out at 7am when the Sun is just starting to come out. They’re rarely locked in during daylight hours, they always have access to the run from morning until dusk. But the weathers not been great lately so they have been spending a little extra time in their coop.

 

[CB_ChickenGal]

I have not found this to be the case. Roosters are typically not in the hen pecking order and have a separate dominance structure. Here's a good article about how to deal with a bully hen: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

This is a very helpful article! Thank you!

 

[coach723]

At 4' x 16', the run also may be a bit small. The behavior of the birds is what makes the determination, every group of birds is different, the math in literature is a "minimum recommendation" not an absolute. Dominant birds, roosters, tend to make spaces too small. You can try, if possible, to make it work, with extra elevations, with outside roosts, platforms, etc. in the run so they have more than just ground level to be on, that may help. Any place that can provide a place to get up and away, or behind (without being cornered) can help. But ultimately, if it continues, you may need a larger run. You may need to add feeders and waterers as well. Dominant birds can guard them and bully those trying to get to food and water. If you have more, spread out, they can't guard them all.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Earlobe looks ripped. Maybe she caught it on a staple or fencing.

Blood and scabs are an attractant for sure. Being separated for days, she's likely lost some or most of her standing within the flock. This is one reason why I do everything I can not to separate out a bird that is injured or sick. If I do separate, I make sure they are seen daily or even put them in a kennel within the run or coop so they are "not forgotten".

You may have to just stand by and let them work it out. See how it goes.

Ime, a rooster in not in the pecking order of hens. He revolves around the order. He may intervene after a period of time when hens are squabbling, but mine stand and observe for a bit before saying

 

[CB_ChickenGal]

At 4' x 16', the run also may be a bit small. The behavior of the birds is what makes the determination, every group of birds is different, the math in literature is a "minimum recommendation" not an absolute. Dominant birds, roosters, tend to make spaces too small. You can try, if possible, to make it work, with extra elevations, with outside roosts, platforms, etc. in the run so they have more than just ground level to be on, that may help. Any place that can provide a place to get up and away, or behind (without being cornered) can help. But ultimately, if it continues, you may need a larger run. You may need to add feeders and waterers as well. Dominant birds can guard them and bully those trying to get to food and water. If you have more, spread out, they can't guard them all.

We do have perches and stumps for them, but we are certainly discussing expanding the run! We have a smaller property, so we thought going a little above the minimum that was being recommended to us might be enough, but ultimately we were wrong.
I should have also mentioned we let them free range around the property as well when we are home to supervise. Lots of bushes, and patio space to hide under, and things to climb on.
But thank you for the tips! Every bit helps.