Pecking order

[Shortperson2002]

I have to admit the pecking order is no joke! It's just downright awful! I put 3 RIRs in about 2 weeks ago, pecking order lasted about 3 days. Then my 2nd batch went in 4 days ago with all the big girls. The mix was a sizzle roo, lavender Amerucana, oe, and a black Cochin. All have been pecked like no other and keep running back in the coop to hide in the nesting boxes. Then there is the ever so submissive Cochin that hides under the tiny sizzle or the other two. When I go out there I find her in the ostrich position with her head almost under ground. It's only one hen that picks on her, I think. Yesterday morning I found bald spots on the Cochin so I went out to tsc to pick up bluekote to spray on it. By the time I got home she was now bleeding in that spot. I cleaned her up and put the bluekote on, and separated her. But I'm wondering if I should of since the pecking order will start all over again. She is as happy as can be and walks really tall when around the ducks or out of the coop. She is such a snuggler and wants to constantly be hell or next to me. I thought about slipping her back in at night time but I've read I need to wait until she fully heals or ill have a dead chicken on my hands.... What to do.... any advice? I've read tons of articles but each seems conflicting in one way or another.

 

[Wisher1000]

Try separating the one doing the pecking, instead. It will have to re-establish itself when it come back in, but by then the shy one will be healed. Make sure you have plenty of room for all your birds, it will help if there is room to get away. The rule of thumb is "4 square feet per large fowl inside the coop, and 10 square feet per bird on the outside." You can go a bit less for bantams, but I don't. More is better.

 

[littlefarmgirl9]

I know! I have two Orps and two Barred Rocks, and one Orp(Hazel) always pecks at the others for no reason! I tried separating her for ten minutes, but when I brought her back she just pecked at the others right away! She never made them bleed, and Hazel really is a softie at heart, but I don't want it to get out of hand. I don't think it will, but you never know!

 

[Shortperson2002]

Yes we are cautious with the chicken math. They get to go out and free range daily too for a little while.

It's a barred rock that is doing the pecking. Which is hard to believe since she's a parrot and snuggler and never pecks me. Now my buffs are submissive and they peck me like no other. Both breeds are my shoulder birds. My reds that these new chicks were in with are being the aggressors to the sizzle. But the Cochin gets most of the abuse from the barred. I may have to let her free range during the day and bring her In the coop at night.

I just wonder is it safe to put the Cochin back in while they are sleeping? Or should I wait until she is funnily healed. I'm worried the order will start all over and it will be worse for her.

 

[Wisher1000]

I think you should put her back in. I don't think day or night would really matter much. Make sure the wound is not bleeding and has scabbed over, first. If you have it covered well with BlueKote, it's worth a try. Put lots of things in the run for her to use as hiding places. Anything else you can think of that will distract them might be worth a try as well.

Good Luck!

 

[Wisher1000]

<chuckle> Those type boo-boos happen all the time and chickens get over them without any medical attention. Unless it is bleeding, raw, and getting bigger by the day, don't worry about it. You are watching them so closely that you are seeing the normal, everyday squabbles that all chickens have. Just say, affectionately, "Hazel, you're so mean!" and let it go. They are young and working out how they should relate to each other. This is the way of chickens, it's natural. Don't interfere unless one's life is in danger. It will work itself out, eventually. Just make sure that they have plenty of room and plenty of interesting stuff to investigate. If the pecking order is all they have to think about or do, it could get really bad. They like to bump chests and chase each other and pretend to fly (sometimes they really do!) but all of that is just having fun. They are like children in that way, they like to play hard and sometimes they get a boo-boo!