hens 'fighting'

[chick-e-chick]

We've had three hens for about 18 months, they've all been together since about two weeks old, and just this past week one of them has started to 'bully' one of the others, she pecks her feathers, jumps up on her back sticking her claws in her.

They have ample space, an outdoor run of about 40 feet x about 10 feet (maybe more), lots of grass and places to scratch, so I don't think that's the problem.

The one being pecked always seemed to be the most dominant one of the three.

Any ideas?

 

[Uppity Peon]

It sounds like the bully hen is taking over the dominant position. Hopefully it will not result in any real bloodletting as the others learn to salute to the new leader.

 

[crunchychristianmom]

I'm having the same problem right now. I have seven 17mo hens who have always gotten along fabulously. They have lots of space, but it has been very hot, so I'm wondering if that triggered their change in behavior...

The Barred Rocks are attacking one of my sweet Buff Orps. The Buffs were always at the top, but ruled gently. Now Josephine is being kept from the food and water, and has all the feathers picked from the back of her head! I'm so worried about her, but I'm not sure what to do. I tried to separate her, but I don't have a good backup coop. I gave her her own water and food in the corner, and she's taking refuge in the fig tree above the compost bins. I went out today, and now she has a bleeding foot! So they're hopping up to attack her from below!

Help, please!!!!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Once there's blood shed you must seperate the injured hen. Chickens can and will peck the injured one to death. Isolate her in a dog crate if you have to, but she does need to be kept from more harm. A small isolation area in the coop can be made with some chicken wire and a few 2x4s. Once she's healed you can try returning her to the flock and apply an anti-peck ointment to the area they seem most want to peck. I prefer pine tar for this, but there are other products such as Blu-Kote.
If they are not drawing blood, it's best to let them work out their pecking order issues IMO.
That's one reason I love my rooster. He breaks up any fights between my top hens before they get out of hand.

 

[Hennypenny2008]

I am having the same problem with our Wyndotte. We have 3 hens, a seabright bantam, an orpington and a silver wyndotte. We had the bantam first, we have had her 5 years. We got the other 2 girls last year. We introduce them last year and they have gotten along great for the last year. But last Saturday, I noticed that the bantam had feathers missing on the top of her head and we saw the wyndotte do it. We have had her in the house this week, staying in a dog kennel. She is very content and actually likes the extra attention. We let them all free range together under our supervision, and the wyndotte still goes after her but not as much. I will go get some blue kote for her head but what I want to know is will this pass? I love my chickens, but my little bantam has a very special place in my heart. Thanks for any advice you all can give.

 

[chick-e-chick]

My hens seem to have sorted themselves out thankfully, it got to the point when the one being bullied wouldn't eat in the presence of the bully which was disturbing, so we would take her aside and make sure she was getting food, but over the last few days they have gone back to normal, getting along fine!!

 

[Lunachick]

Chicken behaviour can sure be strange. One day there's drama, the next - like nothing happened.