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TLO8316

In the Brooder
Dec 26, 2018
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Hi everyone,

I am new to the site and wanted to say hello. I live in upstate NY so winters are a little hard on my girls. I am interested in sharing information and learning from all of you. I currently have 4 backyard chickens that are now 1 year 5 months old, 2 golden comets, 1 New Hampshire red, and 1 Speckled Sussex. They have all gotten along very well until recently. One night in the coop "Gertie" the Sussex was attacked and half of her feathers were plucked out. I immediately separated her and applied the appropriate medication to her areas that were bleeding. It's been 3 weeks now and her feathers have grown back remarkably quick. I tried to reintroduce her to the flock but they went after her again. She also will not go back into the coop at night. I can't say I blame her. So I keep her separated in the run so they can see her but can't get to her. At night I have her in a secure space in my shed with a heat lamp for her to stay warm. Any suggestions on how to reintroduce her back into the flock without being injured? Any why the others would attack her like that in the first place? Thank you :)
 
Hi and welcome to BYC - thanks for joining us. Winter seems to test the patience of a flock and space issues become critical. I’d suggest posting your question on this forum - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/managing-your-flock.2/

This is a useful link of BYC guides to take a look at announcements-feedback-issues-guides.3 I’d suggest including your location using the guide in that link. You can use this link to contact members in your area - Find your State's thread.

Best wishes

Pork Pie
 
Welcome to BYC! I am sorry to hear about Gertie's problems. Are you positive it was the other chickens that tore out half of her feathers? It seems pretty extreme, so I am wondering if some predator did it instead. I was also wondering about how much space these birds have. Cramped living quarters can lead to aggression, so that is something to think about. I hope everything works out, and I hope you enjoy this website.
 
46A4AE53-5B6C-460A-AB63-A2F77F40524D.jpeg

Welcome! Merry Christmas! Don’t forget to check out the articles in the Learning Center.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/​
 
:welcome

Sorry one of your girls was hurt. I too would like to know more about your set up. What are the measurements of your coop? Do you have a run that offers your flock a protected place to get out of the coop for some fresh air and exercise? I know my flock doesn't like leaving their coop and going out into their run if I don't clear off at least some of the snow.

Best wishes to you!
 
JedJackson said:
Welcome to BYC! I am sorry to hear about Gertie's problems. Are you positive it was the other chickens that tore out half of her feathers? It seems pretty extreme, so I am wondering if some predator did it instead. I was also wondering about how much space these birds have. Cramped living quarters can lead to aggression, so that is something to think about. I hope everything works out, and I hope you enjoy this website.
Click to expand...
Hi, Yes I am positive that it was the other chickens. My coop is very secure with a roof and hardware cloth buried a foot in the ground and 1 foot up the sides. The picture was when it was new. I have since added roosts too. The run area is 10' x 10'. I will be fencing in my yard in the spring so they will have a lot more room to run then.
20170827_112149.jpg
 

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