How beat up is too beat up?

[Elsveta641]

Space isn't always an issue when a bird is being bullied, chickens are just buttholes in general. My chickens free range all day until dusk and someone manages to get their booty kicked about once every two months.
Most recently was a Oshamo pullet. Her sister died from grief when our alpha rooster got killed and she was all alone, a misfit from the flock. Another rooster broke her ankle dragging her by the foot. I put him down. She spent a few weeks on the ground, dragging herself around the yard but seemed to be content. Nobody bothered her while she was down and in fact she would pack anyone in the eye who tried to take her food. No one retaliated, she maintained her pecking order space despite being crippled. But within a few days of her getting up and finally walking like normal, another hen began beating her bloody. Then others joined in. She defended herself valiantly and seemed to hold her own, but one morning she was crawling again and had a bloodied face. She currently has a 8x10 pen of her own to recover in, but she is mentally traumatized and may ultimately need put down.
Chicken drama isn't always the fault of the keeper, sometimes chickens are just plain mean!

 

[ValerieJ]

I'm new to Chicken raising and currently Nursing two hurt Pullets, one who's backend being de-feathered and skin torn, much worse than the OP's bird and a second pullet with a HOLE, the size of a Pencil Eraser, to the bone of her Skull. Really scared the heck out of us. Needless to say, I too am looking for answers. Thank you for you help...JJ

I'm so sorry about your pullets. I'm not sure why it happened in your case; in my case it was a mean rooster. I still have some problems with aggressive hens, but no blood. Thank goodness for that! I would just reiterate that I have had great success with Blue Kote. It heals while it discourages further pecking. My Ethel's head was purple for a long time, but at least it wasn't bleeding. Good luck!

 

[Chef JimmyJ]

I'm so sorry about your pullets. I'm not sure why it happened in your case; in my case it was a mean rooster. I still have some problems with aggressive hens, but no blood. Thank goodness for that! I would just reiterate that I have had great success with Blue Kote. It heals while it discourages further pecking. My Ethel's head was purple for a long time, but at least it wasn't bleeding. Good luck!

Thanks You...I am pretty sure we have a Cockerel that is trying to prove something. To this point of 9, I'm sure two are boys and possibly two more. 4 boys and 5 girls, just ain't gonna do. I will try to re-home two and keep a sweet Jersey Giant Cockerel and one of the Gold Laced Wyandotte cockerels. I get there will be squabbles but pecking a hole clean through to her Skull can't Fly!. ...JJ

 

[aart]

Space is the main problem here....space and diversions.
Check out this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

I'm betting one got a hold of a pin/blood feather and that started the feast.
They can bleed like the dickens and if they don't stop you must fully pluck the bleeding pin feather to stop it.
Had this problem once, blukote did nothing, except make the bleeding bird try to preen it off and reopen the wound...have also seen blukote attract pecking attention.
Something clear as an antiseptic when needed is the best bet.

 

[DanielleOrbach]

Thanks you Danielle. I hope your issues clear up as well. More room will definitely help. These kids are like 5 year olds! They will try to kill each other and while the Parent's are Panicking, the kids are hugging and walking around holding hands...

It's been a week now the two are in the house and recovering well. Why not? They get their free choice 20% Feed, plus beg their way to treats off our plate. They hang out all day on the back of the towel covered couch, watching TV, and they Sleep on a shelf over the Headboard of our bed in the Air Conditioned bedroom!
My problem is a Fiesty Cockerel. They have all done great on their 20% feed. In fact, I credit the protein content for their quick healing...JJ

She seems to be doing well and the others have left her alone for the most part since applying the Blu-Kote, which by the way needs to come with a warning label to wear gloves because my hands still have purple on them! LOL

 

[DanielleOrbach]

I'm having a new coop built and planned to add more roost than what my current one has. My 4 you ones sleep in a nesting box at the present time

Yeah, there is definitely nesting box sleeping going on because of lack of space, but that should be remedied today, the roost area expansion is almost done.

 

[DanielleOrbach]

That's a bare minimum. Since it looks like you already have bullying issues if at all possible you should aim larger.

More space also makes it more feasible to add obstacles, additional feeders, and other things to keep them busy, which can help reduce behavior issues by providing cover and just keeping the birds busy. Adding all that to a already cramped run will eat up too much space.

Alternatively you might consider reducing the flock if you simply cannot expand due to size of yard and setbacks, for example.

I can definitely talk to my boyfriend about going bigger, which I think would be a good idea since if we're going to expand anyway, we may as well expand even more.

 

[DanielleOrbach]

Space is the main problem here....space and diversions.
Check out this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

I'm betting one got a hold of a pin/blood feather and that started the feast.
They can bleed like the dickens and if they don't stop you must fully pluck the bleeding pin feather to stop it.
Had this problem once, blukote did nothing, except make the bleeding bird try to preen it off and reopen the wound...have also seen blukote attract pecking attention.
Something clear as an antiseptic when needed is the best bet.

I saw a little bit of both of those things happen yesterday, but it seemed more like interest like what is that, but it wore off for the others and for her. We're keeping an eye on her for sure, and we'll be looking to see if it is a pin feather or not.

 

[DanielleOrbach]

I'm so sorry about your pullets. I'm not sure why it happened in your case; in my case it was a mean rooster. I still have some problems with aggressive hens, but no blood. Thank goodness for that! I would just reiterate that I have had great success with Blue Kote. It heals while it discourages further pecking. My Ethel's head was purple for a long time, but at least it wasn't bleeding. Good luck!

Yeah purple like my hands! LOL Gloves next time...

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

Yeah, there is definitely nesting box sleeping going on because of lack of space, but that should be remedied today, the roost area expansion is almost done.

Mines not lack of space, it's silly 2 month old chicks!