Old, Handicapped Hen Getting Bullied

TwinsLoveChicks

Songster
Mar 10, 2016
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At the coop
My Coop
My Coop
My hen is 7-8 years old, blind in one eye, and missing the top mandible of her beak, so her coordination isn’t great and she’s a little fragile :)
Here’s a picture of her.

ABEBC734-4565-46B7-BCA1-13AD8F6919AA.jpeg


She is one of the original 5 chickens that I got to start my flock, and she has always been high on the pecking order, and has never been bullied until now. The other chickens don’t attack her or go out of their way to bully her, but they haven’t let her drink, dust bathe, sunbathe, etc. with them for about 3-6 months. They have been excluding her, and because chickens are such social animals, it’s kind of sad that she can only hang out with me, especially because I can’t be out there all the time. She eats separately because of her beak, and I always make sure that she gets enough water and food. I have about 20-25 hens in total, with three roosters (one is in a separate coop for a leg problem and I’m planning on giving away 1 or 2 of them soon) that all leave my hen alone.
How can I help solve the problem?
Thanks in advance and feel free to ask any questions!
 
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Bless her heart!:hugs
It is sad but I don't think there is much that can be done about her company situation.
She's getting old and feeble. We don't always understand everything about chickens and their behavior. While we may feel sad and even bad for them, they seem to accept their situation better than we think.
Spend the time you have with her. Check her periodically for lice/mites. See that she's getting to eat/drink. (feel her crop to see it's filled when she goes to roost).
You may find this article helpful.
https://hencam.com/henblog/2013/11/caring-for-feeble-old-hens/
 
The only thing I can think of that you could do is to try to get some very docile other chickens, and keep her in her own pen with some company. Silkies, maybe? Polish? Something that wouldn't have the gumption to bully her.
 

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