Hurt pullet at her head and neck region- in need of guidance!

[Weeg]

I agree and don’t want to have to use the peepers but I want to have them on hand as a last resort. I will measure the square footage tomorrow but I think it’s around 208 square feet. It is one 9X12 area and then a tunnel running off of it that leads to a smaller section of run. The coop is elevated in the area too but I’m currently making a bigger coop that will add square footage and it will be 9X6. It should be done doing build in about two weeks. I have 7 birds. Two red sex links, two black copper marans, and 3 Easter eggers. The three Easter eggers are two weeks younger then the other four. I am thinking perhaps when I seperate the mean girls I wait to introduce them until I switch everyone to the new coop that way they will be even more thrown off with a new home too?

Defiantly not overcrowding then. Is the Easter Egger that is getting picked on new? You integrated before putting her in correct? If not, then that is the problem. What food do you feed them?

 

[chickity-chick]

If they can't see her then she will only get bullied more when you bring her back in. If you take her away, then they will forget about her, and she will end up at the bottom of the pecking order again. Do you have a dog kennel or crate you could put her in? A baby or dog gate you can use to block a corner off for her?

Hmm no I don’t really have anything or any way to block off an area outside. I have a canvas material pop up pen that I use for them inside but it will get ruined outside. Would it really be that bad? Should I put another one of the nice birds with her inside while she heals? And then when I put those two back outside bring the two mean ones inside for a few days? I am also in the process of building a much bigger coop- I could keep the mean girls inside until the house gets switched as well? That way it will really throw them off? What do you suggest? The way my set up is now there really is no way to keep her sectioned off outside and still dry and protected from the elements. Or perhaps leaving her outside and just bringing the means one in now to separate them? But she is featherless and that could have potential to get her more hurt? What do you think?

 

[chickity-chick]

Defiantly not overcrowding then. Is the Easter Egger that is getting picked on new? You integrated before putting her in correct? If not, then that is the problem. What food do you feed them?

No she is not new- and she has been picked on her entire life. They are two weeks apart in age. They were raised side by side until the reached a similar size and then released together. She has always been picked on but it’s just now that the signs of it are really starting to show. As for food- I transitioned just not to grubblies layer feed- it’s their first time eating a pellet sort of food and I have found that they are picking around the pellets a bit. They also get black soldier flies daily for protein. As well as heathy harvest treats which is a nut mix I got at tractor supply. They are also given free choice oyster shell and grit.

 

[Weeg]

Hmm no I don’t really have anything or any way to block off an area outside. I have a canvas material pop up pen that I use for them inside but it will get ruined outside. Would it really be that bad? Should I put another one of the nice birds with her inside while she heals? And then when I put those two back outside bring the two mean ones inside for a few days? I am also in the process of building a much bigger coop- I could keep the mean girls inside until the house gets switched as well? That way it will really throw them off? What do you suggest? The way my set up is now there really is no way to keep her sectioned off outside and still dry and protected from the elements. Or perhaps leaving her outside and just bringing the means one in now to separate them? But she is featherless and that could have potential to get her more hurt? What do you think?

I think if you bring the mean ones in and leave her out. That will be fine.

 

[Weeg]

No she is not new- and she has been picked on her entire life. They are two weeks apart in age. They were raised side by side until the reached a similar size and then released together. She has always been picked on but it’s just now that the signs of it are really starting to show. As for food- I transitioned just not to grubblies layer feed- it’s their first time eating a pellet sort of food and I have found that they are picking around the pellets a bit. They also get black soldier flies daily for protein. As well as heathy harvest treats which is a nut mix I got at tractor supply. They are also given free choice oyster shell and grit.

Alright, well its good she isn't new. What brand of feed are you feeding? Is the pellet feed a layer feed?

 

[chickity-chick]

Alright, well its good she isn't new. What brand of feed are you feeding? Is the pellet feed a layer feed?

Yes it is layer feed! It is Grubblies layer feed! For Christmas my mother paid for a year long auto ship subscription fo this grumbly layer feed so I can’t change the food for a year. Edit: it’s pellets mixed with oats is what the grumbly feed looks like. I add probiotics and kelp powder to help with the immune system and digestion.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The front of her (her breast) looks sticky/wet is that because she spills food when eating due to her beak?
Get some photos of your birds and the coop/run.

I would check her over really well to make sure she's not got lice/mites.
Does she lay eggs?

Add some obstacles to your run so she can avoid the 2 bullies. Add another feeder or two. It's not uncommon for the lowest bird to get picked on.

 

[Weeg]

Yes it is layer feed! It is Grubblies layer feed! For Christmas my mother paid for a year long auto ship subscription fo this grumbly layer feed so I can’t change the food for a year. Edit: it’s pellets mixed with oats is what the grumbly feed looks like. I add probiotics and kelp powder to help with the immune system and digestion.

Got it! Okay, for some reason I didn't realize Grubbies was the brand! IT looks like a great feed, but the protein level is only 16%. You need a 20% protein feed at least. Is this the same feed? If not, can you provide a link? https://grubblyfarms.com/products/g...lLkmW57W0QaVA5xf-JLOT2Cd2_GJt-bRoCMvQQAvD_BwE
If you don't have a 20% protein feed, it can result in feather picking for extra protein. Feathers are mostly made of protein, so that may be why they are picking her's. Do they eat the feathers, or just pick them?

 

[Weeg]

The front of her (her breast) looks sticky/wet is that because she spills food when eating due to her beak?
Get some photos of your birds and the coop/run.

I would check her over really well to make sure she's not got lice/mites.
Does she lay eggs?

Add some obstacles to your run so she can avoid the 2 bullies. Add another feeder or two. It's not uncommon for the lowest bird to get picked on.

Yes, adding hiding spots, and obstacles are a great way to get her some safety.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Got it! Okay, for some reason I didn't realize Grubbies was the brand! IT looks like a great feed, but the protein level is only 16%. You need a 20% protein feed at least. Is this the same feed? If not, can you provide a link? https://grubblyfarms.com/products/g...lLkmW57W0QaVA5xf-JLOT2Cd2_GJt-bRoCMvQQAvD_BwE
If you don't have a 20% protein feed, it can result in feather picking for extra protein. Feathers are mostly made of protein, so that may be why they are picking her's. Do they eat the feathers, or just pick them?

Feather picking and eating can be due to lack of protein.
Feather picking/plucking is often due to lack of space.
The OP's pullet is being picked on the head - IF they had a rooster/cockerel I would chalk it up to mating. Very possible that another pullet or 2 is even mounting her if no rooster is present - not unheard of.

Extra protein is not going to resolve a bullying problem and there is no hard and fast rule that someone "needs" to feed 20% feed. 16% layer feed can be sufficient IF extras are kept to a minimum.

The pullet may be very submissive, she may have something more going on with her (she's unwell?) hard to know.
Peepers are a possible "fix" but evaluating the whole set-up (space, number of birds, etc.), feed and health of the flock needs to be done.