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Bowleggedcowboy said:
I didn't know chickens could be so mean to another chicken in the flock. This one Rhode island red has gone blind and when I came home Friday from work I came out to collect eggs and put out some scratch 4-5 of the chickens were picking on this one red and even the other reds in the flock where really tearing into her. I got the blind red out of the run and that's when I realized she was blind. I have noticed she was keeping to herself a lot but didn't think much else about it. Is it normal for chickens to pic on another that's handicapped?
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Yep. It's not mean to them, but merely a survival instinct. That happens all over the world in flocks and herds....one will be born with a defect or will develop a crippling injury and the rest of the flock or herd will drive it away. To them this weak member attracts predators to the whole, so the individual must be driven out or even killed.

In a free range situation, a bird will isolate itself when ill for that reason but if it doesn't, the flock may avoid it anyway and distance itself from that bird.
 
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@Beekissed
I kind of figured it was probably like you said but just wanted to be sure. All 17 hens have been together for 2 years now. I set her up some feed and water and a shelter box for her she gets to roam the whole yard now all by herself.
:) thanks Beekissed for your reply :)
 
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Beekissed said:
Yep. It's not mean to them, but merely a survival instinct. That happens all over the world in flocks and herds....one will be born with a defect or will develop a crippling injury and the rest of the flock or herd will drive it away. To them this weak member attracts predators to the whole, so the individual must be driven out or even killed.

In a free range situation, a bird will isolate itself when ill for that reason but if it doesn't, the flock may avoid it anyway and distance itself from that bird.
Click to expand...

Yes, this makes sense. Seems cruel to us, but we don't have to fend for ourselves like they do. I'm glad you got her out by herself you Bowleggedcowboy. :) Good to see you. :)
 

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