One chicken is getting bloody from getting pecked!! (Sorry, long)

Hi,


I advise you first to seprate the injured hen from the flock, and put her under a heat lamp with food and water for some TLC. Then I think you should maybe extend the run, for too many chooks leads to boredom which then leads to injuries or maybe cannibalism!!

 

This is what I would do. I would free range them every day. For at least 2-4 hours. Do it later and let them come back with the sunset. I wouldn't get rid of them. Chickens are hearty. They need space more than protection from the elements. If you let them range they will be satisfied and tired. If you lose a couple from free ranging at least you tried and it's better than just giving them away.

When they roost at night they do better in a smaller coop because it generates heat. They rest well and re energize for the next FREE day.

You will also buy less feed and they will be very happy.

I wish you the best of luck with your girls.

Mary

 

First of all you need to seperate her to a dog kennel or cage because as long as the chickens see and smell blood they will continue to peck her and possible corner her and kill her.

She needs to be heeled up before returning her and then very carefully as you are then introducing a stanger to the flock. You might want to put her in a cage where they can see her but not touch her for a week or so after she is all heeld up.

Clean the wound with a hibiclens or the like. Not anything with a pain killer in it. Then put antibiotic cream on it once only. Not the kind that relieves pain just plain antibiotic cream

Don't apply more often as it now needs to dry up and scab over to heal.
They will peck a scab so it needs to heal all up.

Good luck with your hen

 

My coop is the same size as yours, and I could not imagine 13 hens in that coop! (I've had 2-4). Is there any way could could add some space in an upper level as you have a lot of height? Do they have a lot of areas to roost and get away? Also building a larger run would be a lot of help--could you get 130 sq. ft. of run space, some of it covered for icky days? There is a lot of ideas on here also for chicken toys to keep them occupied and out of trouble, try searching "bored chickens". Any chickens that are bloodied need to be removed ASAP or they could very well kill them. Good luck!

ETA: geez you guys post fast! There was no posts when I started!

 

You have a very cute coop. Please do not spend time feeling bad. Birds do fight. My birds (each) have nearly 6 sq. ft. in the coop, plus about 10 in the run and they still beat on eachother.
Can you buy a couple more panels & extend your run? If not, I would advise you to decrease your numbers if you cannot up your space.

 

I absolutely agree with free ranging them. You mentioned in your post that you intended to that, and it seems now would be a good time to start.

Separate the picked on girl, clean up her head and let her rest a day or so or until the head looks better. I agree with your mentor - this looks more like a pecking order thing that a picking thing. BUT pecking can lead to picking. If you give them more space, you'll provide her room to escape and hopefully things will work themselves out naturally.

Don't beat yourself up. Chickens can be brutal. You're doing all you can and if you free range, your coop size should be just fine for the number of chickens you have. Small spaces for sleeping/laying is ok if they have plenty of room to move during daylight hours. Just let them out early.

ETA: You answered while I was typing. I still think this probably a pecking order issue and reducing the number of chickens may or may not help. Is it one particular pullet that is doing the pecking?

Good luck!
Penny

 

One day I went out as usual to feed the chickens. I see blood all over a feeder. I look and see my white leghorn coming out of the coop to eat like nothing happened except she is full of blood down her front from having a comb picked.

I take her into the house ....... inspect her and she is fine. Looks real dramatic though with all that red blood on pure white. Now, I know chickens will go for her cause blood is red. I bathe her to get the red off. Keep her in the house for a couple hours and put her back out.

To this day I have no idea which wlh it was. Just get the red off and combs bleed like a son of a gun. It's probably not as bad as it looks.

Your run looks small but if you free range it is not that bad.

I think your fine..........just give them the space to range as you have been doing. When you do range.........always leave them the option to get back to the coop if they're cold. They will go......little pea brains aren't that stupid. They know where the warmth and food are.

I bet she'll be fine.

Good Luck.