Pecking Order Shuffle

[HeyHo]

I have a small flock, with six pullets that are about 4.5 months old (and no eggs yet ). I re-homed my (very loud) cockerel just yesterday (sniff) and today noticed that two of my girls have little comb injuries (pictured below). Are these typical in pecking order issues? Is it because they are shuffling the deck, so to speak, since the little roo is gone?

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Now that your Roo is gone, the ladies will establish a new pecking order..... pecking in normal, but if severe aggression is observed, remove the aggressor and keep in a separate pen for a few days. Then reintegrate. Those injuries aren’t life threatening, so just observe and let them figure things out. Best of luck! Bear hugs for rehoming your Roo! That must have been hard.....

 

[HeyHo]

Thanks for the response! That's what I was figuring but just wanted to be sure (I'm new). I think I know who the aggressor is but will keep an eye out. The two injured seem to be near the top of the order. I think there was a coop coup today ... but maybe I am giving the birds too much credit! If I have to keep the bully in a separate pen, should it be a dog crate in the run during the day and move it into the coop at night. Or should she be banished to the garage or something?

It was hard to re-home the little boy, he was good and respectful but crowed. All.the.time. I hope I did the right thing.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

A dog kennel is fine. I wouldn’t put her in the roost at night, tho. I would keep her enclosed for a couple of days......is your run predator proof?

 

[Magicalflowers]

If you guys don’t mind- I also have a small situation similar to that. So I have a 2-3 year old hen named Winger and she has 4 sisters and I noticed she has a little black thing on her comb, just like in HeyHo’s pictures. Any ideas why? I know her flock mates like her but she does spend a lot of time alone...

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

If you guys don’t mind- I also have a small situation similar to that. So I have a 2-3 year old hen named Winger and she has 4 sisters and I noticed she has a little black thing on her comb, just like in HeyHo’s pictures. Any ideas why? I know her flock mates like her but she does spend a lot of time alone...

Can u post a photo?

 

[HeyHo]

No mind, magicalflowers! The more the merrier. Collective wisdom is always better! Hope we can all find some answers. Chickens are so secretive, I just try not to miss clues.

My run is predator proof, so I could leave the dog kennel out there for the night if it would be useful.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

No mind, magicalflowers! The more the merrier. Collective wisdom is always better! Hope we can all find some answers. Chickens are so secretive, I just try not to miss clues.

My run is predator proof, so I could leave the dog kennel out there for the night if it would be useful.

I would leave her out all night....good luck! Keep us posted with updates!

 

[Magicalflowers]

Can u post a photo?

I will as soon as I can, I will! (Tomorrow)

 

[aart]

The two injured seem to be near the top of the order. I think there was a coop coup today ... but maybe I am giving the birds too much credit! If I have to keep the bully in a separate pen, should it be a dog crate in the run during the day and move it into the coop at night. Or should she be banished to the garage or something?

Nice word play!

As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or one bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out.
Separating can just cause more problems later.