hens dying from being pecked

[BOrion]

Additionally, a talon would leave a "peck" looking puncture.

After spending several hours with the girls, I think I may have the mystery solved. I saw what looked suspiciously like blood on the tips of the feathers of one of my buffs. Peroxide confirmed, kind of like lipstick on your collar. I have taken her out and put her in a dog crate in the garage. Now what? I still have the other two in ICU. I think you said that a bully, agressive, assertive, etc. hen couldn't be corrected. I don't eat meat and especially not my own animals. Is there any way to integrate her back into the flock or should I just find her another home? thank you for your great advice.

 

[Leslieb118]

After spending several hours with the girls, I think I may have the mystery solved. I saw what looked suspiciously like blood on the tips of the feathers of one of my buffs. Peroxide confirmed, kind of like lipstick on your collar. I have taken her out and put her in a dog crate in the garage. Now what? I still have the other two in ICU. I think you said that a bully, agressive, assertive, etc. hen couldn't be corrected. I don't eat meat and especially not my own animals. Is there any way to integrate her back into the flock or should I just find her another home? thank you for your great advice.

Mean hens can go to "chicken jail". I had to do that with one of mine. I put her in a kennel and kept her in with the others where they could see her and she could see them. She just couldn't do anything to anyone. I had to do that because she'd pecked a younger pullet right in the eye and I had to keep her isolated in order to treat her. She couldn't see to jump up on the roost. Once I got the younger one better, and out in the run with the others (2 days), the bully went to jail. She stayed there for 4 days or more if I remember right. I haven't had an issue like that since.

 

[BOrion]

Mean hens can go to "chicken jail". I had to do that with one of mine. I put her in a kennel and kept her in with the others where they could see her and she could see them. She just couldn't do anything to anyone. I had to do that because she'd pecked a younger pullet right in the eye and I had to keep her isolated in order to treat her. She couldn't see to jump up on the roost. Once I got the younger one better, and out in the run with the others (2 days), the bully went to jail. She stayed there for 4 days or more if I remember right. I haven't had an issue like that since.

So you "released" the hen in "chicken jail" after 4 days and she had learned her lesson? No more "serial" attacks? My Buff in jail in the garage is very unhappy. Making lots of noise, but I'm not giving in. At least not tonight!

 

[rikithemonk]

Sounds to me like you need to cull a bad hen. Watch behavior and chop the ultra violent hen. Its not common, but it does happen.

Riki

 

[theacw]

I just wanted to say good luck with everything! It is hard when you get so attached to them, including the bullies too. I hope that the weak one pulls through for you and I also hope that your buff straightens up for you.

And you might want to try the yolk idea. Although mine wasnt nearly as weak as yours, she definitely, definitely loved the yolks

 

[BOrion]

I just wanted to say good luck with everything! It is hard when you get so attached to them, including the bullies too. I hope that the weak one pulls through for you and I also hope that your buff straightens up for you.

And you might want to try the yolk idea. Although mine wasnt nearly as weak as yours, she definitely, definitely loved the yolks

Yep, I will try that in the morning. Thanks!

 

[Leslieb118]

So you "released" the hen in "chicken jail" after 4 days and she had learned her lesson? No more "serial" attacks? My Buff in jail in the garage is very unhappy. Making lots of noise, but I'm not giving in. At least not tonight!

LOL. I said 4 or more. Been a little while so I can't remember exactly. But I put her in jail with the others. Kind of a humiliation tactic I guess. She could see the others doing what they do, and she couldn't do anything about it. The only thing I can suggest is that you keep her in jail for a week (or more) and then try to reintroduce her. But watch her closely. Hopefully she'd have lost her spot in the pecking order, but if not, you could still have issues and that's when you should decide if she's even worth your effort. My bully didn't just magically start to behave. She still tried to interfere in things and handed out the occasional peck, but nothing like before. And when I introduced younger ones from the brooder to a pen and coop right next to theirs and then finally integrated them, she behaved very well.

That is just my experience. You very well may have one that you just can't break. I'm only suggesting that you lock that girl up, try to reintroduce her maybe even keeping her in the cage outside with them for a day, then letting her out under supervision to see what she does. If she didn't learn her lesson then "bye bye birdie".

 

[Pullet Surprise]

It's my understanding that when the offender comes out of the chicken jail, it then has lost its pecking order status and has to fit again....sometimes it solves the problem.
If not, rehome it.

 

[BOrion]

Yep, I will try that in the morning. Thanks!

Tried the egg yolk. She wouldn't eat it and really struggled when I tried forcing her. she's barely drinking and can hardly hold her head up. It was worth a try. I think she has just given up and would really like it if I would just let her go.

 

[loanwizard]

Looks like you have received some very good advice. Isolating the bully may or may not work. She may lose pecking order and may get picked on herself, or, you may just have a "mean", overly aggressive bird.

Your call. I am a farmer and would have chicken and noodles, but, as a pet, I certainly understand your want to save her.

Another thing you can try.... people do it with roosters... not me , is to humiliate her in front of the other hens by holding her down and asserting that you are the master for 5 minutes or so.

It is natural for chickens to have an Alpha through submissive birds. It is unacceptable to have a violent bird in chicken society.

Draw blood, death row.

I say it tongue in cheek but I honestly wish you the best of luck,

Shawn