- Apr 10, 2008
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I am so frustrated. Two out of our four hens are warring. Fred was a late addition to our flock and Hazel gave her a rough time for weeks after she first joined the family. I wouldn't say they were ever buddies, but they worked out some sort of peace treaty after awhile and had been tolerating each other well enough until a couple days ago when all hell broke loose. I think Fred finally had enough of being picked on and turned on Hazel. It is now Melrose Coop in our backyard. Both are missing feathers and Hazel's ear was bleeding last night. Fred is back to not coming out of the coop for fear of being attacked and with good reason because when she does come out she is attacked.
The other two hens are traumatized. Alice now spends much of her time standing in the corner while Omlet is back to playing dead, which is her bizarre reaction to stress.
I don't know what is going on. Could it be that they are close to first lay? Fred should be laying by now and Hazel is probably a few weeks off still. Is it a pecking order rematch? Hazel is top hen and Fred is bottom. Are they feeling pressed for space and taking it out on each other? We are at maximum chicken capacity. Or are their real last names Hatfield and McCoy?
Anyone have any thoughts on how to get them through this? Or is it just time to re-home one of the opposing hens?
The other two hens are traumatized. Alice now spends much of her time standing in the corner while Omlet is back to playing dead, which is her bizarre reaction to stress.
I don't know what is going on. Could it be that they are close to first lay? Fred should be laying by now and Hazel is probably a few weeks off still. Is it a pecking order rematch? Hazel is top hen and Fred is bottom. Are they feeling pressed for space and taking it out on each other? We are at maximum chicken capacity. Or are their real last names Hatfield and McCoy?
Anyone have any thoughts on how to get them through this? Or is it just time to re-home one of the opposing hens?