Polish Bantam in trouble

[TKilpat]

hello! I have a polish bantam at the bottom of the pecking order and all the other girls (12 in all) have pulled her feathers from the top of her head in the last few months. I have her isolated in her own hutch but I let her out while I work in the run for about an hour. I am wanting some input from some of my fellow chicken people if I’m doing the right thing and how long I should keep her isolated most of the day. Her feathers are starting to grow back, but even in the short amount of time I let her out, some manage to get pulled out. I would keep her completely isolated, but it seems like such a poor quality of life for a chicken. Maybe completely isolate her for several weeks?

 

[sourland]

Very sadly it is unlikely that this behavior on the part of the flock is ever going to go away. Frequently Polish are picked upon in a mixed flock. Such behavior can even escalate to scalping and even death. Any chance of getting more Polish for company and providing them with their own pen ?

 

[TKilpat]

Very sadly it is unlikely that this behavior on the part of the flock is ever going to go away. Frequently Polish are picked upon in a mixed flock. Such behavior can even escalate to scalping and even death. Any chance of getting more Polish for company and providing them with their own pen ?

I have two other polish bantams. Would the three be enough company to make their own little flock? That’s a great idea.

 

[sourland]

A flock of 3 would be fine. I would let her refeather completely before trying that arrangement.