Hen Help

[willowbendbb]

Thanks! I had to bring her back inside because they started pecking at her back where her cut is and where she is missing feathers. Since she is at the bottom of the pecking order I think it would be better to give her a few more days for her back to heal some and feathers to start growing and then put her back up with the rest of the hens.

 

[RhodeIslandRedFan]

I agree with the above advice from ChickensAreSweet. It's best to let them work things out, unless she is getting hurt. Removing her again will just prolong the problem. I also agree about removing the bully temporarily if your hen is getting hurt. BTW, I'm really glad to hear your hen is healing and walking again after her attack

Edited to say: Oops, I think our posts crossed. If she had open sores that were attracting the others' attention, you absolutely did the right thing by separating her again. They would have kept pecking her

 

[willowbendbb]

I had to bring her in more because they were pecking at her back where she has some open sores. It looked extremely painful so I thought it might be better to let her heal a little more before I try and put her back with the flock. They did ok free ranging and she wasn't getting attacked, but anytime one of the other hens would come up to her they would see her bare back and start pecking at it!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I had to bring her in more because they were pecking at her back where she has some open sores. It looked extremely painful so I thought it might be better to let her heal a little more before I try and put her back with the flock. They did ok free ranging and she wasn't getting attacked, but anytime one of the other hens would come up to her they would see her bare back and start pecking at it!

Yes the open sores will attract true attacks where blood will be drawn. Good call. After she heals you can apply Rooster Booster Pick No More Lotion or spray with Blu kote (both from feed store) to avoid having them peck the healed area...it sometimes works for people. These products do stain, however.

Also as a last resort you can use pinless peepers on the rest of the flock temporarily (blinders), available online.