Polish chick pecked at - missing feathers

[SeaSea47]

I posted about how my chickens were pecking at one of my three Polishes the other day - I thought I had resolved the problem, but when I went out today, everyone was in the run, but her, and I went into the coop and picked her up, and she was missing more tailfeathers, has a bald spot on her back, just above her tailfeathers, and she had a few specks of blood. I brought her in, and she's on the back porch now with some watermelon, food, and water with electrolytes. The porch is glassed in, so she can see outside, but safe for her, so she has plenty of room. I hate that she's alone, but it's the best thing for her right now. She was born in July, so she's about 2.5 months.

Should I put anything on her bald back? When can I try to re-introduce her to the flock again? Or should I? She seems healthy otherwise, just very nervous, and I don't blame her. I haven't had chickens for a few years and never had this problem with my last flock, so any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[sourland]

Sadly this is a relatively common occurence with Polish in mixed flocks. Monitor the other two they may become the next targets.

 

[JustBabyMargo]

I posted about how my chickens were pecking at one of my three Polishes the other day - I thought I had resolved the problem, but when I went out today, everyone was in the run, but her, and I went into the coop and picked her up, and she was missing more tailfeathers, has a bald spot on her back, just above her tailfeathers, and she had a few specks of blood. I brought her in, and she's on the back porch now with some watermelon, food, and water with electrolytes. The porch is glassed in, so she can see outside, but safe for her, so she has plenty of room. I hate that she's alone, but it's the best thing for her right now. She was born in July, so she's about 2.5 months.

Should I put anything on her bald back? When can I try to re-introduce her to the flock again? Or should I? She seems healthy otherwise, just very nervous, and I don't blame her. I haven't had chickens for a few years and never had this problem with my last flock, so any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Not sure. Poor baby. I keep my polishes separate from the others because they get bullied so much. They can die from being pecked in their heads too.

 

[SeaSea47]

Sadly this is a relatively common occurence with Polish in mixed flocks. Monitor the other two they may become the next targets.

I am. I really didn't want Polishes. They were supposed to be my mom's but she passed away right after we got them. One of them is super aggressive to all the other chickens, so I'm not overly worried about her. I am wondering if I should get a little coop/run just for them?

 

[SeaSea47]

Should I put vetericyn or blukote or both on her?

 

[JustBabyMargo]

I am wondering if I should get a little coop/run just for them?

That would be a good idea.

 

[OhDangBro]

I would do bluekote if it was me. One for the antiseptic purposes and two to make sure the other chickens don't try to peck that same spot(when/if you put her back)

 

[SeaSea47]

I would do bluekote if it was me. One for the antiseptic purposes and two to make sure the other chickens don't try to peck that same spot(when/if you put her back)

Thanks! I am really leaning towards building a little separate mini coop for the Polishes this weekend. They just don't seem as hearty as the others.

 

[SeaSea47]

That would be a good idea.

Do you think I should bring one of the others in with her after I get the blukote on her? Maybe tomorrow? I hate for her to be by herself, but I hate for her to get picked on too.

 

[JustBabyMargo]

Do you think I should bring one of the others in with her after I get the blukote on her? Maybe tomorrow? I hate for her to be by herself, but I hate for her to get picked on too.

I would say try it! When my Baby Margo had this problem I had a friend with her! One that did not peck her. But then her friend grew up (after like a month) and got a bit bored so she plucked out a tiny bit (but not anything bad). Then my polish had to live alone for a tiny bit. But her healing process took a long time because she was very bald! So try it and if you notice bullying then remove the friend.