Pecking back of the head

[sdelgado19]

I used to have 7 hens that free ranged a half acre. Out of those seven there was a one smaller golden lace that was getting heavily bullied. I theorized it was over crowding in the coup and competition for resources. So i added another feeder and waterer to the coup area. This didn't seem to help in fact the flock was turning on another golden lace. These two were bottom of the pecking order so I wasn't sure if that was part of it or not. Well, I had a fox come through and kill 3 of my hens, injured a fourth that been living in my garage recovering, and I re-homed the fifth because she wasn't laying anyways. So these two are the only ones left.

I thought the feather plucking, head pecking would subside now that there is only two birds. But it hasn't. Now i have been keeping these girls locked up in the chicken run to make sure the fox doesn't come back for them and they aren't getting as much free range time. My smaller golden lace is getting the back of her head plucked to a point where i noticed dried blood on it today. Does this mean that there may be something wrong with this bird? It seems strange there is only two of them and they are still having trouble.

I'm at a loss. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[aart]

Some birds are just mean.
But all the stress of the attack and changes can have an effect too.

If there's a bloody wound that can attract pecking attention, sometimes helps to cover the wound with Blukote antiseptic to camouflage the blood.

How old are these birds and how long have you had them?

Have you checked closely for pests?
Part feathers down to the skin around vent, head and neck and under wings and look for mite/lice evidence.

What are you feeding?
Lack of protein(animal protein) can escalate cannibalistic behaviors.

Might be best to isolate the injured birds in wire crates to stop anymore injuries but allow them to see/be near each other.