Pecking Heartache - Seeking Advice

[hadihens]

Hi everyone!
I'm having an issue with one of my sweet pullets being picked on.
This is my first year raising backyard chickens. I was down to 2 red sexlink hens (10mos) and just recently added 3 barred rock pullets (5mos) and 1 barred rock rooster (5 mos) to my flock.
The littlest barred rock pullet is being picked on. It started as my two red sexlinks picking on her and now even the barred rocks are joining in too. I've been closely monitoring her, carefully treating any wounds if they manage to break skin, keeping her isolated during healing until the skin is completely healed and using Stop Pick but nothing seems to be working. They will be fine for a few days, and then start up again. They are always picking the back of her head.
They have a huge run, adequate sized coop (only in it to lay and during dark hours), lots of food and watering stations, lots of things to play with so I don't think boredom is a reason.
Will she always be picked on? What should I do? If anyone can share any insight, it would be greatly appreciated. I'm heartbroken for her. She's a great little layer too.
Thanks, in advance,
Erica

 

[dekel18042]

Hi everyone!
I'm having an issue with one of my sweet pullets being picked on.
This is my first year raising backyard chickens. I was down to 2 red sexlink hens (10mos) and just recently added 3 barred rock pullets (5mos) and 1 barred rock rooster (5 mos) to my flock.
The littlest barred rock pullet is being picked on. It started as my two red sexlinks picking on her and now even the barred rocks are joining in too. I've been closely monitoring her, carefully treating any wounds if they manage to break skin, keeping her isolated during healing until the skin is completely healed and using Stop Pick but nothing seems to be working. They will be fine for a few days, and then start up again. They are always picking the back of her head.
They have a huge run, adequate sized coop (only in it to lay and during dark hours), lots of food and watering stations, lots of things to play with so I don't think boredom is a reason.
Will she always be picked on? What should I do? If anyone can share any insight, it would be greatly appreciated. I'm heartbroken for her. She's a great little layer too.
Thanks, in advance,
Erica

Do you know who the leader of the bullies is? If so, if you remove her and keep her segregated for a few days. A week would be fine. Often when you reintroduce her the flock dynamics have changed and the picking will stop.

 

[hadihens]

Thank you for your reply.
My two RSLs are definitely the bully hens and I would say they are about equal with their pecking. Do you think I should let the injured BR be free with the rest of the flock, wound and all and separate the 2 RSLs instead?

 

[hadihens]

Also, I forgot to ask in my original post:
If the injured one has a small open wound, would she still be okay to go in the coop with the rest of the flock during dark hours to sleep? I'm worried about a peck frest breaking out while I'm asleep...
I've been having her sleep in a different area, but she much prefers sleeping in the coop with the others. Poor thing.

 

[dekel18042]

Also, I forgot to ask in my original post:
If the injured one has a small open wound, would she still be okay to go in the coop with the rest of the flock during dark hours to sleep? I'm worried about a peck frest breaking out while I'm asleep...
I've been having her sleep in a different area, but she much prefers sleeping in the coop with the others. Poor thing.

I would definitely separate the RSL if they are the bully hens and take it from there. If the others are letting her alone during the day I might try it at night if it is dark. Birds mostly sleep when it is dark. Do you have any blue kote? If so, and you put it on the others should leave her alone, but you could observe during the day.