hens stop getting along

[chickland]

Wondering why my two hens suddenly went from BFFs to enemies?

I only have two chickens, Brownie and Buffy, both one and a half years old. They used to get along great their whole lives until a few weeks weeks ago. They were always together. Brownie suddenly became very aggressive toward Buffy. So now Buffy is scared of her. They never hang out together anymore. Is this normal? I know chickens have pecking orders, but why the sudden change at over a year old?

Also Buffy stopped laying eggs (maybe from stress?). Brownie has never laid an egg (I think she is an internal layer). Brownie's abdomen used to hang down, but it doesn't anymore. So maybe she is healthier now. Would being healthier make her more aggressive?

Any ideas?

 

[chrissynemetz]

Is Buffy eating normal? How's her poop? Other than being scared of Brownie, how is she acting? Can you get some pictures, of both of them?

 

[Acre4Me]

Maybe Buffy is sick and Brownie is doing what chickens do to a sick bird- they try to drive them away. Is Buffy molting her feathers? She is the right age for it. Maybe she is feeling not so great bc of that. If she’s molting and neither are laying eggs, I would switch to a higher protein feed (like all flock or grower) since they don’t need a layer feed right now, and may benefit from a little higher protein (18-20%).