One chicken getting attacked by all the others

[VA Jenny]

One of my chickens is all of the sudden getting attacked by all the others and I am not sure why. Got all 6 birds as newborns. They have all been together since day one. Plenty of room, always enough food and water etc.... all was fine until 2 days ago. I have separated this one chicken until her wounds heal and I figure out what to do. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Eggcessive]

How old are they? When a chicken gets attacked by all others, there is usually something seriously wrong with them. Separate her in a dog crate with food and water. It helps to keep them in the coop with the other chickens. Then place it out with the chickens during the day.

I would check her over completely. Has she been separating herself from the others, or acting sick? Is she walking okay? Is she active, alert, eating, drinking, pooping? How does her crop feel, especially in the morning before eating? Can you check her over for mites and lice? Has she been laying eggs recently?

 

[BirdGirl2004]

Hmmm. Make sure she doesn't have anything out of the normal for a chicken on her body... sometimes chicks are drawn to oddities! If they continue harassing her, I would make a "see but not touch" barrier and put one chick in with her for company. She's still being with her flock, but just not getting harassed until she is bigger to fend for herself (probably won't need to since they will get over it)

Good luck! Hope this helps some!

 

[VA Jenny]

16 wks in age. Noticed she was limping and hiding in the coop 2 days ago. I removed her and checked her all over. She was bleeding from the top of her head. And I am pretty sure the limp was a sprain and nothing more serious. She is eating and drinking and seems much happier and calmer being separated. I tried to put her in the coop tonight and she was immediately attacked again.

 

[VA Jenny]

One physical feature that is different is she is a pale yellow and all my others are dark red and brown chickens. Can color make a difference?

 

[BirdGirl2004]

16 wks in age. Noticed she was limping and hiding in the coop 2 days ago. I removed her and checked her all over. She was bleeding from the top of her head. And I am pretty sure the limp was a sprain and nothing more serious. She is eating and drinking and seems much happier and calmer being separated. I tried to put her in the coop tonight and she was immediately attacked again.

I would separate her then... maybe until she's feathered out. If they seems to have that much of a problem with her then maybe it's better for everyone if you give her away?? I HATE giving my chickens away, but if it's for the well being of my flock ( and the chicken ) then I have to do it. If you want to take the time, you can keep her elsewhere till shes older, and bigger. If not, I would suggest giving her away!

Sorry!
Good luck!

 

[Eggcessive]

Were they all raised together as chicks? Certain breeds seem to always hang out together, even when they are old hens. If possible separate her, but still keep her with them. Otherwise, if she gets better, they will go after her again. Chickens can spot weakness quickly. Hopefully, it is an injury, and she is just low in the pecking order. But I have had young ones who were the leaders, and if they developed a limp, even the tiniest banties would attack them. Same goes for older hens who I knew were dying, at some point they all start pecking their combs. That is when I usually put them down.

 

[VA Jenny]

Yes, I got them all on the same day as new chicks. And they have been in the outdoor coop for 2 months now. All was well until 2 days ago. What happened, I will never know.

 

[VA Jenny]

I have the ability to build a 2nd small coop on side of my big coop, and then separate a run. Maybe I can find her a nice buddy and she can have some peace in her lil chicken life

 

[VA Jenny]

Chickens are ruthless when they attack