She's bein picked on! (WARNING GRAPHIC PIC)

[NamahKatana]

I recently aquired 3 hens from the owner of our new house. They're pretty much wild and you can't get near them. I'v been working on gaining their trust(I'v only had them a week). Well I was out yesterday fixing a fence and I heard squacking. I thought maybe one of the dogs got out and were getting the chickens. I ran to where it was coming from and the RIR they left was attacking a smaller(the smallest) black chicken. I pulled them appart and took the black one away to examine it. It's head is bald and bloody. It seems it's been getting picked on for a while. I have her separated in a wire cage in the barn. Thing is is that I don't think it's fair to keep her locked up all the time and she'll probably get picked on again after she's healed. I don't have a separate place to keep her and I think she'd get lonely by her self, should I find her a new home or will she be fine with her own area? Also if the RIR attacks any other birds she's gone. I'm going down their today and am going to bring the black hen up and get her cleaned up. Any thought on what I could put on her to help the healing?

A pic of the poor bird

 

[nurse_turtle]

Poor baby! That looks awful. I would re-home the RIR, she's a bully. You can use triple antibiotic ointment (without pain additive) to help heal her wounds. She will need to be separated until healed because the others will peck her wounds. This may be your chance to make a good chicken friend too. Chickens heal remarkably well. Make sure flies can't get to the wound to lay eggs. The ointment will prevent that. Best of luck!

 

[NamahKatana]

Poor baby! That looks awful. I would re-home the RIR, she's a bully. You can use triple antibiotic ointment (without pain additive) to help heal her wounds. She will need to be separated until healed because the others will peck her wounds. This may be your chance to make a good chicken friend too. Chickens heal remarkably well. Make sure flies can't get to the wound to lay eggs. The ointment will prevent that. Best of luck!

Thanks! Now I just need to find the triple antibiotic ointment. It's still packed somewhere... If I see any other issues with the RIR she's gone. Think black hen will be ok staying in a 2ft x 2ft wire cage while she heals? It's the only place I have for her.

 

[BigdaddySean]

She should be fine in there by herself. Just make sure she is comfy, and has access to water and food..

 

[1 lucky dad]

Put that RIR in the pot!

 

[NamahKatana]

So far theres been no other incidents with the RIR. But it has only been a day so we'll see. I completely forgot we have a 10 x 12 dog run in the back. She's now in there with a dog house full of straw(it's alot easier to keep clean and keep her from sitting in her food/water). I just cleaned what blood I could off of her.I didn't want to hurt her or stress her to much I couldn't find the triple antibiotic ointment and she was getting stressed in the house so I'll start digging for it. Hoping for a speedy recovery for her.

 

[tammye]

I would put the bully in lock down to try and break the pecking order. That poor hen, can you get her a new friend so she won't be alone? Make sure you can close up the dog house at night to keep her safe from predators. Good luck with her. I would take her if I could

 

[NamahKatana]

I would put the bully in lock down to try and break the pecking order. That poor hen, can you get her a new friend so she won't be alone? Make sure you can close up the dog house at night to keep her safe from predators. Good luck with her. I would take her if I could

Lock down? How so? I though about getting her a buddy but I'd worry they'de pick on her too. and she's save from predators =)

 

[NamahKatana]

Undate on Booboo(new name)

She got out of the kennel and went back to the flock. She seems to be healing well. Trying to find a taker for the RIR. Haven't noticed any fighting so far.