Integration did not go well for my Faverolle

[Erin80]

I am in the process of integrating my 6 nine week old pullets in with my 6 one year old hens. It all went ok, some minor attacks but they sorted it out. However, my faverolle has been horribly picked on. This morning I went out and her head is pecked so badly that feathers and skin are gone. I’m not sure if I’m looking at bone, or if it’s a layer of skin under the bumpy skin that feathers grow out of.
She is by herself in the brooder box recovering. I feel awful for her. Even the other babies ganged up on her when they saw her red head. I think it will take a VERY long time to heal. I’m not exactly sure what to do about it. I’ve been putting vetericyn spray on it, and since it is on her head it is staying clean. Any other ideas? She is eating and drinking and I have discovered she has a crossbeak....not enough to stop her from eating. She’s had such a rough start, she battled pasty butt for the first few weeks, and now all this.
The brooder box is actually big enough to house two full grown chickens with some modifications (higher walls, roost), so I’d eventually like to pick one of the smaller chicks to live with her in there. I’m just not sure she can be with the others. She is so docile and does her own thing and just gets beat right up. I feel bad that she’s alone tonight in there, but with her red raw head, I don’t want to risk anyone else pecking it.

 

[christwodog]

Poor baby! I have faverolles too, and am partial to them. I would keep her separate until she heals, then try adding a friend (like another faverolle or docile breed). I had a similar situation with a faverolle, but it was not as severe and I was able to identify the bullies and they went to "bad chicken" jail for 2 weeks. That was enough time for them to get bumped down in social ranking and allowed the faverolle to build up some confidence. I hope she heals up soon, you could try Blu-Kote to help with her injury - as the name implies, it coats the area blue (your hands as well!) and keeps others from pecking at it, since it is no longer red.

 

[Chickassan]

Do you just have the one fav? You defintly need two or house her with bantams. She will eventually be able to join your flock but it won't be until she's almost laying and nearly the same size just due to her temperment.If you get another fav they'll just hang out together. You're doing the right things for her head, keep watch though and do your very best to keep the flies away.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

There is no guarantee just because both are favorolles their gonna just clique,the other one will likely become a target and or bully the other one that’s being bully,or the oen currently being bully will bully the newer afvorolle if you get one.

Have never kept them but witnessed and observe lots of pecking order behavior,your best bet is to just Seperate the trouble makers.
Continue putting meds on wounds,don’t freak out,most times chcik me heal from very dramatic looking wounds.My birds have had gashed deep inside them and I usually just put peroxide on hen and send them on their way.After learning birds are pretty self healing anyways,I won’t even do that sometimes.

 

[Chickassan]

Favs do tend to click, especially the young ones. When they get older its another story. They are odd birds.

There is no guarantee just because both are favorolles their gonna just clique,the other one will likely become a target and or bully the other one that’s being bully,or the oen currently being bully will bully the newer afvorolle if you get one.

Have never kept them but witnessed and observe lots of pecking order behavior,your best bet is to just Seperate the trouble makers.
Continue putting meds on wounds,don’t freak out,most times chcik me heal from very dramatic looking wounds.My birds have had gashed deep inside them and I usually just put peroxide on hen and send them on their way.After learning birds are pretty self healing anyways,I won’t even do that sometimes.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

A cross beak is a grievous fault in chickens and grievously has your hen paid for her disability. With chickens the best bullying defense is a good offense. But your hen has no effective weapons to defend herself.

 

[Erin80]

I can’t get another faverolle at this point. I got her from performance poultry here in Ontario, and to get another means starting with another day old....if they even offer them now as their season is coming to a close now.
My other chicks are BO, BA, EE and light Brahma. Out of those, who would you suggest putting with my Fav as a friend? It wouldn’t be until she’s all healed up. They are all the same age.

 

[Chickassan]

The light brahma would be your best bet.

I can’t get another faverolle at this point. I got her from performance poultry here in Ontario, and to get another means starting with another day old....if they even offer them now as their season is coming to a close now.
My other chicks are BO, BA, EE and light Brahma. Out of those, who would you suggest putting with my Fav as a friend? It wouldn’t be until she’s all healed up. They are all the same age.

 

[sirrobyn0]

I think we all develop our own instigation process in time. For me I have smaller pen next to the big pen so they can see each other but not touch. This has worked out well but there are still issues from time to time. While your injured chicken probably does not like being alone, it is what is best. If it were a human that was attacked, the human wouldn't particularly like being in the hospital recovering, but it's still the best thing. I guess what I'm saying is that even though you feel sorry for the picked on bird the only way for her to recover is to be isolated so it's the best thing to do. I like the "jail" idea. I've never done anything like that but I may have to try it.

 

[christwodog]

I agree with chickassan, my light brahma buddies up with my faverolles, especially the one who was getting picked on. One time the brahma (Aunt Bea) actually went after the barred rock who was picking on little Leilani. Their size can be a deterrent to a potential trouble maker I think.