Hens "cock fighting"

[782422]

I have 4 hens(over 1.5 years old). Their pecking order has been settled. They live in a run, but get to roam our 1 acre for around 2 hours everyday. Today when they were outside the top of the pecking order started cock fighting with the bottom of the pecking order. There was blood on their combs, but we picked them up before things started to get nasty. We set them down and a few minutes later they went at it again.

What is happening and how do I fix it? Is this normal?

 

[junebuggena]

How big is the run? Are they large breed, medium, or bantam?

 

[782422]

The run is about 120 sq ft. They are medium breed chickens. One welsummer and one plymouth barred rock

 

[junebuggena]

Welsummers and barred Rocks are both large, dual purpose breeds. Most white egg layers are medium sized. The run space isn't too small. Have there been any recent changes? Are any of them showing signs of going broody? It's normal for a dominant hen to assert herself over a lower ranking flock member if the lower ranking bird does something against her rules. It's not normal for hens to keep at it.

 

[782422]

They both weigh around 5 lbs. Neither of them is going broody, both laying a few eggs per week. We collect the eggs once a day. There have not been any challenges to the order that I know of. The barred rock normally picks on the welsummer a little bit but not enough to do any damage.

 

[junebuggena]

I meant environmental, dietary or other types of changes.

 

[782422]

They eat the same type of food as normal, weather has been constant, overall they have the same environment as they have had the last year or so.

 

[junebuggena]

No idea then. If it keeps up, you might want to consider rehoming the one that is instigating the fights.

 

[782422]

Okay. Thank you for the help.

 

[centrarchid]

I have 4 hens(over 1.5 years old). Their pecking order has been settled. They live in a run, but get to roam our 1 acre for around 2 hours everyday. Today when they were outside the top of the pecking order started cock fighting with the bottom of the pecking order. There was blood on their combs, but we picked them up before things started to get nasty. We set them down and a few minutes later they went at it again.

What is happening and how do I fix it? Is this normal?

"Cockfighting" as used above is misleading at best. Hens were simply fighting and such very seldom leads to real harm.