Pecking and visibility due to comb

[wdoyle1980]

I have three hens, 2x white leghorns and 1x RIR. When they were small, we had them all in one smedium rabbit cage. As they got bigger, we moved into a medium DOG crate. One of the WL (Camila) was the first to start growing her comb and the other two (Gertie and BigRed, should be apparent which is which) would constantly pick on her. We thought they were just crowded and purchased another cage. We moved into an HOA neighborhood after living in a non-HOA area. we didn't want to get rid of them. We have them in my office, in two cages, near a sunny window + blinds. We allow some good sunlight in without cooking them in it in their cages. We let them out to play nearly every night to run around, flap+fly about, and scratch+fluff on a floor covering we use for them. At first , they would only team up on her if all three were together. If we rotated Camila with only one of the others, they would get alone alright. This worked for a little bit, but any time we socialized all three together, the two would gang up on Camila. Her comb is really big, red, and floppy, now to the point where it bumps into her eye or rests against it. most of the time she keeps that eye closed and has to rotate her head around to see things. I have been reading lots of threads here on dubbing and wanted to talk more about it. Would removing her comb help keep the other birds from zeroing in on her? would it give them less to grab onto? Is it more humane to give her the ability to properly use both eyes? Does the comb ever grow BACK and this is something that is done every now and then when it gets big, or a one time (permanent) thing?

help!

 

[sourland]

Dubbing is permanent. Her comb will not regrow if she is dubbed. The other two will most likely continue to pick on her. It is her lot to be at the bottom of the pecking order. Chicken society is frequently cruel in our eyes.