Sick bird became the bully?

[darkdeer]

Hello folks!

I am in a bit of a pickle with my flock.

I have 4 hens (blue hamburg, barnevelder, 2 EE's) and my most spritely girl became eggbound. She spent the weekend with the vet after we tried everything we could at home. She was 2nd on the pecking order, mostly out of avoidance, but when we reintroduced her, she began terrorizing all the others.

I've since separated her, and she's in a wire kennel (solid bottom) placed next to the run so they can all see each other, but not interact.

I am not sure how to proceed from this point. Most of what I've read has said the sick chicken becomes picked on, but what does one do when the sick chicken becomes a bully?

My current thought is to let them free range together and see if space helps.

It was really distressing to see a small flock that had no infighting turned into 3 scared, cowering chickens while one ripped out their neck feathers

Thank you for your wisdom and experience BYC!

 

[barred2rock]

Sounds like you're doing all that can be done right now. Best of luck and welcome to BYC.

 

[Mrs. K]

What is your set up? Free ranging, generally gives them some more space. I think I would try that, fairly early in the morning. I think I might chase them all a bit, get them moving away from me, worrying a bit about me, then have a couple different treat spots set up. I would expect them to settle down. And all head into the coop at dark. Sometimes though, it does not go back to the way it was. I really don't separate birds, it causes a lot of problems.

Mrs k

 

[aart]

Could be she was picked on at first, is not having any of it and is fighting to regain her position.

Definitely try the ranging, give them space to work it out....
.....hopefully it won't take long and be bloodless.