Hens trying to canabolize a hen

[nanneygoat]

I had 1 rooster and 6 hens from an older (but still laying) flock. Last December I introduced 4 pullets to the flock, after segregating them where they could see each other for a few weeks. The rooster has always spurred the hens, fertilizing their eggs, causing feathers to fall off and a raw area to be exposed. All the hens seem to peck on each other and the rooster, making raw spots and a little blood. When I see blood, I spray with Bluekote. This has worked in the past to keep the hens from pecking so they can heal and grow new feathers. I also feed them Feather Fixer to help grow their feathers back. One of the newbies, a Buff Orphington, got pecked really bad by the older hens and 2 of the other newbies who joined the flock together. She had a hole in her shoulder that held a pool of blood from 1 day to the next. She was also limping. I put Bluekote on the wound and isolated her in a large dog crate in the coop. She healed and was walking well, so after about 10 days or so, I put her back into the flock at night when all were roosting. By the time I got out the next morning, she had a new deep bloody wound. Put her back in the crate to heal and keep her safe. Has been another 2 weeks and she has healed but she has sneaked out twice when I am cleaning her crate and is always attacked. I have been able to rescue her so the pecking has not gotten deep. Will the flock ever accept her again? I am afraid to let her out, but this is no way for a hen to live!

 

[allosaurusrock]

At the moment, I think your only option would be too let your orphington go to another owner. That or make another smaller coop to house her and one of your nicer hens.

 

[drumstick diva]

Chickens can be brutal and seeing red spurs them on. They can and do cannibalize others in the flock. Do you have one docile hen that doesn't harm her? You could put them together in another area so she has a friend. It could also boost her confidence. When she heals and you put her back with the flock, it's like adding a strange hen to the bunch. They probably don't remember her and start attacking her. New birds have to be integrated gradually into a flock, or they can end up dead. Also sounds like your meanest hens need a time out in solitaire(crates apart from each other) so they come down a peg or two.

 

[nanneygoat]

Thank you both for your response. I pretty much figured I would have to set up a separate coop for her and find her a nice coopmate. I don't believe I have ever seen my Americuna be mean to her. In fact, she is good at dodging the mean ones. (My Barred Rocks are the meanest.) I was considering putting the new coop in my goats immediate pen. Does anyone know if goats and chickens get along? They are 2 Nubien Wethers (4 and 5 months old.) Would I still need a pen for the hens within the goat pen or would they safely mingle together in one pen?

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[nanneygoat]

Thank you...Still trying to find out if goats and chickens are compatable.

 

[N F C]

Welcome to BYC!

Goats and chickens generally do get along well. We have 2 adult and 2 kid goats and they don't seem to pay much attention to the chickens. The chickens aren't afraid of them and just go about their business as usual. I wouldn't go so far as to say they are "friends" but they certainly don't bother each other.

You might try posting that situation of goats and chickens together over on this link and see what other goat/chicken owners say:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/22/other-pets-livestock

I hope all works out for you and your BO girl. Thanks for joining us!