GritChicks
In the Brooder
- Jul 1, 2016
- 13
- 0
- 45
Hello! I have a very small and diverse backyard flock. 3 birds in total, an Americauna, an Orpington, and a Barred Rock. They were hatched and raised together, and are 23 weeks old this week. The Ameraucana and the Orpington have just started laying eggs (in the winter time no less!).
The Barred Rock (Rocky) was the queen of the roost and top of the pecking order until yesterday. While letting them out for the morning free range, the Americauna began to target and attack the Barred Rock. The BR did not defend herself, and was beat up around her comb pretty badly. Hazel (the Americauna) then stopped once a grub was found, but then the Orpington began harassing Rocky! And she was RELENTLESS! She targeted her head only, and plucked small feathers off Rocky's neck and comb. She even followed Rocky into the roost where it was dark, and corned her, biting off a small portion of her comb. Blood everywhere (that I promptly deep cleaned). Rocky only ran away, and hid, but every time she came out, the Orpington was back at it, attacking her again. It got to the point where I had to take Rocky out of the yard and isolate her in the infirmary for the night to heal. Sprayed her with antiseptic. This morning, covered any red areas on her comb with Blue Kote. Brought her back to the coop, and once again, attacked.
These attacks are on the comb and face only. It worries me that she's not fighting back. It worries me more that even when hiding and running away, she is still targeted. She is the only bird to have not laid an egg, so wondering if this is hormonal egg aggression, or something worse.
They have a 4 x 4 ft roost and 3 nesting boxes, with a 3 x 6 ft run, attached to a second fully enclosed, roofed 4 x 6 ft run. I think they have enough space, but they still seem restless when it rains and I don't let them outside. I have a swing, several roosting poles throughout the run, and a worm ball to play with.
I don't want to isolate Rocky any more, as I think it makes the aggression worse. Now that she is somewhat healed, I have her pseudo- isolated in the roost, with the door closed, but they can hear each other clucking so they get used to the fact that she's back. The other two are in the main run with a nesting box (old cat litter box, covered) to lay if needed. Both enclosures have food and water.
As both the Ameracuana and the Orpington seem to be gaining up on the BR, I can't isolate the aggressive bird (they're both aggressive!) They don't gang up on each other, they just jointly gang up on the BR who is at her wits end. If I open any door to the coop, she jumps out on my shoulder for protection. Even on my shoulder, the Orpington will run up and peck at my ankles as I am now harboring poor Rocky.
Is this pecking-order behavior? Do I just let them peck her until they are bored and a new pecking order is established? Is this egg-laying aggression? Or is this really aggressive and bully-type behavior that should be mediated in other ways? Is it concerning that she is not fighting back? Is the pseudo-isolation possibly making things worse? That they drew blood, does this mean they may become cannibals? Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!!
The Barred Rock (Rocky) was the queen of the roost and top of the pecking order until yesterday. While letting them out for the morning free range, the Americauna began to target and attack the Barred Rock. The BR did not defend herself, and was beat up around her comb pretty badly. Hazel (the Americauna) then stopped once a grub was found, but then the Orpington began harassing Rocky! And she was RELENTLESS! She targeted her head only, and plucked small feathers off Rocky's neck and comb. She even followed Rocky into the roost where it was dark, and corned her, biting off a small portion of her comb. Blood everywhere (that I promptly deep cleaned). Rocky only ran away, and hid, but every time she came out, the Orpington was back at it, attacking her again. It got to the point where I had to take Rocky out of the yard and isolate her in the infirmary for the night to heal. Sprayed her with antiseptic. This morning, covered any red areas on her comb with Blue Kote. Brought her back to the coop, and once again, attacked.
These attacks are on the comb and face only. It worries me that she's not fighting back. It worries me more that even when hiding and running away, she is still targeted. She is the only bird to have not laid an egg, so wondering if this is hormonal egg aggression, or something worse.
They have a 4 x 4 ft roost and 3 nesting boxes, with a 3 x 6 ft run, attached to a second fully enclosed, roofed 4 x 6 ft run. I think they have enough space, but they still seem restless when it rains and I don't let them outside. I have a swing, several roosting poles throughout the run, and a worm ball to play with.
I don't want to isolate Rocky any more, as I think it makes the aggression worse. Now that she is somewhat healed, I have her pseudo- isolated in the roost, with the door closed, but they can hear each other clucking so they get used to the fact that she's back. The other two are in the main run with a nesting box (old cat litter box, covered) to lay if needed. Both enclosures have food and water.
As both the Ameracuana and the Orpington seem to be gaining up on the BR, I can't isolate the aggressive bird (they're both aggressive!) They don't gang up on each other, they just jointly gang up on the BR who is at her wits end. If I open any door to the coop, she jumps out on my shoulder for protection. Even on my shoulder, the Orpington will run up and peck at my ankles as I am now harboring poor Rocky.
Is this pecking-order behavior? Do I just let them peck her until they are bored and a new pecking order is established? Is this egg-laying aggression? Or is this really aggressive and bully-type behavior that should be mediated in other ways? Is it concerning that she is not fighting back? Is the pseudo-isolation possibly making things worse? That they drew blood, does this mean they may become cannibals? Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!!
