Pecking order upset

[townchicks]

One of my 2 yr old EE hens ( Harper)spent the night at the vet last night (possible internal egg, but she's doing well now) and I brought her home this morning. She has always been the top chicken, but in a very benign sort of way. The most I've seen from her was a little charge with raised wings when I brought in a new hen ( RIR) a few months ago, and that settled it. Now that she was gone though, #2 hen ( the other EE) jumped her and has been pecking and chasing her. They have been together since the beginning and have always gotten along great. I was hoping that one night was not so long that it would upset things, darn it. I hate to see her getting picked on, especially when she is not in top form yet. She's always been so nice to her sister too. I'm wondering if I took Agatha, the #2 hen, away for the night, if they would go back to normal, or should I just let it be? There are just the 3 of them.

 

[chickengirl778]

If it continues to be a problem, take Agatha away for a night. That should solve the problem most likely.

 

[townchicks]

Thanks. I've got a crate already set up, just in case.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Definitely a night gone isn’t an issue.They know she has been sick and is probably weak.Seperate the other hen if the bullying continues.Agatha may be the new head hen.

 

[townchicks]

Thanks you guys, things have settled down now. I guess I just freaked out a bit because they have always been so good together. I always thought of Aggie as the mild mannered one, she accepted the RIR without any fuss. Of course they had a good long intro period of see but no touch. Just after a day and night of worrying and a big chunk of money laid out the last thing I wanted was to see Harper get beat up as soon as she got home. I don't care which one is top dog as long as there is no fighting.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

That’s how birds figure out who is too dog,that’s how most animals do.Animals going to fight,lots of times not too much of anything you can do about.