Chicken_Bureaucrat
In the Brooder
- Mar 6, 2023
- 33
- 16
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I have three hens who have been raised together since hatching. One is a Blue Copper Marans and one is an Olive Egger. Both are around 21 weeks and around POL. The OE has laid 4 eggs and the BCM hasn't yet but has a big red comb and seems close to it.
All of a sudden yesterday the BCM went for the OEs comb and viciously attacked her relentlessly, drawing blood in multiple wounds. The third chicken did not take part.
I did wound care on the OE and isolated the BCM to a rabbit hutch in the run. I have another thread on the wound care I'd also appreciate advice on! https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/non-emergency-pecked-comb-womb-care-advice.1594495/
I'm wondering why this could have happened! They were always peaceful and close. There has never been any violence. Sometimes the third chicken and the BCM face off, raise hackles and run at each other, but never any pecking. It's not clear if the BCM or the third chicken is the top hen but I think the OE is on the bottom. She's so kind and peaceful and never challenges anyone. But up until now there's never been any pecking order issues. They all get food and treats and it's not a big deal.
I don't think it's a space issue as we've only just now finished their run, previously they were in the coop all day, you'd think if they had a space issue it'd be in the coop. The coop is 6'x4'. The run is 6'x16'. There's extra room under the coop that adds to the run area too.
I don't think it's a protein issue either as I haven't transitioned them to layer feed yet, they're still on grower/starter feed. Though they range in the yard occasionally and like to eat grass and such there.
My theories are the BCM might be very hormonal as she approaches POL and that might be impacting her behavior.
Also the OE for the last two days has been clearly distressed and dramatic over starting to lay. She's cry for hours before she lays as she searches for the perfect spot. Perhaps the BCM think's there's something wrong with her and wants to drive her out of the flock.
Or maybe it's because I've been catching mice and letting them have it recently and the OE has been getting all the mice and the BCM is mad about that? This didn't happen after a mouse feeding though.
I'd appreciate any advice on this. This has been incredibly sad, they've always been so nice together before, the perfect flock. This has come out of nowhere.
All of a sudden yesterday the BCM went for the OEs comb and viciously attacked her relentlessly, drawing blood in multiple wounds. The third chicken did not take part.
I did wound care on the OE and isolated the BCM to a rabbit hutch in the run. I have another thread on the wound care I'd also appreciate advice on! https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/non-emergency-pecked-comb-womb-care-advice.1594495/
I'm wondering why this could have happened! They were always peaceful and close. There has never been any violence. Sometimes the third chicken and the BCM face off, raise hackles and run at each other, but never any pecking. It's not clear if the BCM or the third chicken is the top hen but I think the OE is on the bottom. She's so kind and peaceful and never challenges anyone. But up until now there's never been any pecking order issues. They all get food and treats and it's not a big deal.
I don't think it's a space issue as we've only just now finished their run, previously they were in the coop all day, you'd think if they had a space issue it'd be in the coop. The coop is 6'x4'. The run is 6'x16'. There's extra room under the coop that adds to the run area too.
I don't think it's a protein issue either as I haven't transitioned them to layer feed yet, they're still on grower/starter feed. Though they range in the yard occasionally and like to eat grass and such there.
My theories are the BCM might be very hormonal as she approaches POL and that might be impacting her behavior.
Also the OE for the last two days has been clearly distressed and dramatic over starting to lay. She's cry for hours before she lays as she searches for the perfect spot. Perhaps the BCM think's there's something wrong with her and wants to drive her out of the flock.
Or maybe it's because I've been catching mice and letting them have it recently and the OE has been getting all the mice and the BCM is mad about that? This didn't happen after a mouse feeding though.
I'd appreciate any advice on this. This has been incredibly sad, they've always been so nice together before, the perfect flock. This has come out of nowhere.
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