I've got a small flock of 3 hens and all has been pretty peaceful for the whole 3 years we've had them. They live in a chicken house that is approximately 4' x 10 ', and is attached to an outdoor covered coop that's about the same size. We let them all out into our 50' x 100' fenced yard for an hour or two a day. I think the Golden Laced Wyandotte is having a hormonal imbalance of some type. I heard her making a crowing type sound this morning, which I've heard hens can do if there's no rooster in the flock. And this morning also I saw her harassing the Maran and attacking her repeatedly until I separated them. I let them all out into our fenced yard thinking the extra space would help things, but no... she was literally stalking and running after the Maran and kept attacking her. The Maran now has several bloody wounds on and around her comb. The other hen, a Plymouth Partidge Rock, was left alone-- or maybe she just gets away faster, I don't know. This is the first time I have seen these hens do more than a quick peck at one another.
Has anybody else had pecking order drama amongst hens in an existing flock that has turned into a bloody battle? I have the dominant/crowing hen separated for now, but want to get the flock back together as soon as possible. Should I just put them back together and hope it all sorts in in the next day or so? Any suggestions?
Has anybody else had pecking order drama amongst hens in an existing flock that has turned into a bloody battle? I have the dominant/crowing hen separated for now, but want to get the flock back together as soon as possible. Should I just put them back together and hope it all sorts in in the next day or so? Any suggestions?