Once a cannibal always a cannibal?

[CrazyChookChookLady]

I have 4 1 year old hens. I have started to have a problem with my #2 hen, Digger a Buff Orpp. My #4 hen, Abigail an EE, cut her foot. I was treating her foot and it was healing with no issues. All of a sudden Digger started to peck her feet and eat them basically.

Abigail has since been moved to the house and will be in the hospital pen until she is 100% healed. Yesterday I caught Digger picking at my #3 hen, Livi a RIR. Digger was once again pecking at Livi's foot causing it to bleed.

I recently put Digger in the time out pen inside the coop because she was being very rough with the 10 week old chicks I integrated into the flock. The girls have plenty of space in the coop, it's 15' X 20'. Plus a 50' X 100' run and they free range daily, under supervision.

My concern is that will Digger also look for something to peck at on the other birds or is it just an opportunity type thing.

Digger is the smaller of the 2 buffs. Goldie is hen #1, no body messes with Goldie.



Abigail's foot when I first brought her inside.

 

[TomZilla43]

I'm not an expert but I know that chickens will peck at anything red, thus if one of your hens has an injury it's not at all uncommon to have others go after it. Chickens each have their own personalities and don't always conform to the "stated breed" tendencies, but Buff Orpingtons are generally thought to be a somewhat docile breed. I tend to think that the injuries occurred and your little Buff is observative and went after the other hens. I agree you should keep the injured chook out of regular circulation in the flock(treat the injury with Neosporin or some antibiotic w/o pain killer). And when you reintroduce the Buff who's the culprit do so when perhaps you have a little time to observe her actions. Best of luck, hope your girls heal up ok

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Thank you for your response.

I had covered it in blukote, but that didn't seem to deter her much. I really don't want her to continue this behavior. I'm hoping it was just a opportunistic thing.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I would cull or rehome & disclose. In a different flock she may not

 

[HappyClucker7]

There is no reason to cull, no offense ChickNanny13. I would just keep the injured chicken inside until her foot heals, and then put her back outside. Slowly re-introduce Digger and see how she does. If Digger keeps going for Abigail's foot, try putting some pine tar on Abigail's feet. Chickens don't like the taste of pine tar and it should stop Digger's behaviour. My chickens actually pecked a huge hole into one of my RIR's side. I just separated her until she started healing, and then I put pine tar into the wound. I have never had another problem with my chickens eating each other. Good luck!

 

[danceswithronin]

Thank you for your response.

I had covered it in blukote, but that didn't seem to deter her much. I really don't want her to continue this behavior. I'm hoping it was just a opportunistic thing.

I would try Pick-No-More lotion (found at Tractor Supply). Apparently whatever is in it tastes noxious because it cleared up a case of vent-pecking in my brooder last year REAL quick. The purple color of the lotion also helps disguise the wound but I'm convinced it's the smell/taste that drives the chickens off.

This stuff: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rooster-...MImeDlm_D94QIVFI7ICh34bgN9EAQYASABEgKPGPD_BwE

 

[ChickNanny13]

There is no reason to cull, no offense ChickNanny13. I would just keep the injured chicken inside until her foot heals, and then put her back outside. Slowly re-introduce Digger and see how she does. If Digger keeps going for Abigail's foot, try putting some pine tar on Abigail's feet. Chickens don't like the taste of pine tar and it should stop Digger's behaviour. My chickens actually pecked a huge hole into one of my RIR's side. I just separated her until she started healing, and then I put pine tar into the wound. I have never had another problem with my chickens eating each other. Good luck!

No taken ... Hope the OP tries all given advice before drastic measures. I'm learning ...

 

[Shadrach]

I have 4 1 year old hens. I have started to have a problem with my #2 hen, Digger a Buff Orpp. My #4 hen, Abigail an EE, cut her foot. I was treating her foot and it was healing with no issues. All of a sudden Digger started to peck her feet and eat them basically.

Abigail has since been moved to the house and will be in the hospital pen until she is 100% healed. Yesterday I caught Digger picking at my #3 hen, Livi a RIR. Digger was once again pecking at Livi's foot causing it to bleed.

I recently put Digger in the time out pen inside the coop because she was being very rough with the 10 week old chicks I integrated into the flock. The girls have plenty of space in the coop, it's 15' X 20'. Plus a 50' X 100' run and they free range daily, under supervision.

My concern is that will Digger also look for something to peck at on the other birds or is it just an opportunity type thing.

Digger is the smaller of the 2 buffs. Goldie is hen #1, no body messes with Goldie.

View attachment 1759759

Abigail's foot when I first brought her inside.
View attachment 1759760

You may find that thoroughly coating the hens foot once properly cleaned and disinfected with this might solve the problem.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...s-and-injuries-with-stockholm-hoof-tar.74400/

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Thank you everyone for the great suggestions!

Digger is currently back in the time out pen inside the coop. She is still aggressively pecking the babies. I'm thinking of trying the chicken blinders for her.

I will pick up some pine tar. I'll try anything at this point. I enjoy having a house chicken, but Abigail is wanting to return to her flock.

 

[aart]

Did Diggers aggression start when you added the new chicks?
Some birds are incorrigible bullies, might be good to remove her permanently from the flock.