molting hen being bullied

[GD91]

Dear Two Crows:

I have some sad news. After I released the 2nd bully from time out, we got another snow storm. You know how much chickens hate the snow, right? Well, apparently since they won't venture out into the pen, all 5 chickens were confined to a smaller space. This meant that Gigi didn't have anywhere to run to or hide from the others. When I went out to check on them this afternoon, I discovered that Gigi has 2 gaping, bloody holes in the back of her. She's losing strength. I have now secluded her into a warmer spot but fear she will die a slow death. Any way I can hasten this in a humane way? I hate to see her suffer.

You'd actually be surprised what they can recover from....

Bring her indoors & keep her inside for a few days. Clean the wounds & apply antiseptic, bandage them with breathable fabric & immediately begin treatment for severe shock which is probably whats making her lethargic. Make sure she has plenty of fluids, a calm & low light enviroment & warmth. It probably looks worse than it really is. Make sure she has a heatsource etc even if its sitting on a knee or infront of a heater.

To be honest I've read back on your thread, she should have been properly separated in the first place, but its too late now. Never underestimate chicken hatred for anything that looks "different" or "off".


Otherwise, if your really determined to kill her, then get a hatchet or a machete & cut its head off. Very quick, I promise you.

 

[jarmanschicks]

Dear GD91:

Okay, I won't throw in the towel yet. My husband helped me to clean her wounds and we have her more comfortable with a heat lamp overhead in the garage. I'll keep her isolated until her feathers are grown back in and she's her old feisty self again. Not exactly sure how to re-introduce her to the others when the time comes but I'll cross that road when I get to it.

Everyone has been so helpful...thank you!

 

[GD91]

Dear GD91:

Okay, I won't throw in the towel yet. My husband helped me to clean her wounds and we have her more comfortable with a heat lamp overhead in the garage. I'll keep her isolated until her feathers are grown back in and she's her old feisty self again. Not exactly sure how to re-introduce her to the others when the time comes but I'll cross that road when I get to it.

Everyone has been so helpful...thank you!

Yes, that is probably the best approach.

I'm sorry you had to experience this, but at least now you'll know what to look out for next year & you'll know when to intervene.

 

[Hood Chickens]

Dear GD91:

Okay, I won't throw in the towel yet. My husband helped me to clean her wounds and we have her more comfortable with a heat lamp overhead in the garage. I'll keep her isolated until her feathers are grown back in and she's her old feisty self again. Not exactly sure how to re-introduce her to the others when the time comes but I'll cross that road when I get to it.

Everyone has been so helpful...thank you!

Did she survive ?

 

[Saaniya]

My 5 hens are all the same age, 1 1/2 years old. It's been a very cold winter and the egg production has been way down. About 3 weeks ago, one of my hens decided to molt. She lost a tremendous amount of feathers in a short period of time. About a week later, I noticed some blood smears on the walls of the coop where the hens roost at night. It was then that I noticed Gigi's rear end looked quite scabby and that the other hens tried to peck at her backside any time she ventured too close. The wounds seem to be healing and the feathers are finally growing back, but Gigi continues to be bullied by the other hens. She's now totally freaked out by the others and spends her time running from them and/or hiding from them. I've thought about isolating her until she's completely over her molting but then fear that when I try to re-introduce her back into the pen she'll be rejected. Should I isolate the biggest bully instead? If so, how do I do that and at what point do I re-introduce her back to the flock?

My rooster tootoo when shed his feather his brother use to peck him it’s constant during the moult they become slightly weak and hormonal