Sick hen and now the flock wants to kill her...

[3baymares]

Two hens were sick a month ago and only one recovered fully. At first, the two hens looked sleepy in the middle of foraging and then they looked a little out of it. One of the hens now is completely back to normal but the sick hen started to lose her appetite. She now falls down if she tries to move fast (like getting away from an aggressive hen). Now all the hens attack her if she is around like they want to kill her. I have her separated totally now and she is eating and drinking. Is this totally normal chicken behavior that when someone is sick they kill her?? I am worried that if the sick hen gets well that they won't take her back too. Any advice, please? The sick hen is a 3-year-old Buff Orpington.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It is an instinct to drive out or kill sick members. A sick bird is a risk to the whole flock. Generally when a bird gets as weak as yours sounds they don't get better unfortunately.

 

[dawg53]

Inspect your 3 year old BO for external parasites and worm her.

 

[chickens really]

I had to Cull a Pullet from last years hatch because suddenly my Flock was beating on her..Chickens are ruthless and any changes they detect they will kill another Flock member..