Pecked Comb

[Oma Char]

One of my Buff Orpingtons was in nesting bed alot. I thought she was trying to be broody. But then I noticed she just would not come out and ducked her head. It was then I noticed someone had been pecking her comb. It is nearly gone! But I had never seen any blood. I've been taking her out and holding her ...she calms down with me as I have held my girls alot since they were chicks. I've been on a watch ever since to see who is being mean. I believe it is an old hen that has quit laying but we had kept because she was just a pet. My questions are.... Will the Buffy be okay without a comb? How do I help her come back out of the nest and live a normal chicken life? should the old hen be isolated?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post some photos?
How much space do you have for them (coop/run size?)
Is Buffy still laying eggs?
Is she coming out to eat/drink?

Check her over well for any sign of illness, lice/mites. It's hard to know what's going on. If the older hen is picking on her, then placing the older hen in "time out" will sometimes be effective. Observe Buffy's behavior to see if she acts ill when the older hen is not around.

Keep us posted.