They're trying to kill her!

[OregonChickenGal]

She needs to be separated permanently. Make a separate run and coop (dog crate) just for her. Put it where she can still see the flock. She should be fine.

 

[dianneS]

The majority of this flock is new. Seven hens out of the dozen chickens I have were hatched this spring or purchased as day-olds at the feed store.

This is the first time I've ever had "ordinary" farm hens in addition to my Easter eggers. I have two red sex links and two black SL's. I have a little OEGB roo who does not tend to the hens at all. He's only concerned about himself. Of course I had the cochin and one other mixed breed banty that is my mamma hen, she's got a baby by her side.

Its the seven young girls who are doing the pecking, the three new EE's and the four new SL's.

I'm wondering if the fact that the cochin is smaller and slower and she does stumble from time to time due to her fluffy pant legs, if that may be why she's getting picked on?

She is just miserable. I'm going to keep her safe and try to perk her up. I know someone who took a few of my cochin's a while ago and just loves them, but all of those chickens are now dead and this person allowed her chickens to roost outside and get decapitated by an owl, so I don't know if I want her to take this bird?

Maybe I'll get her a diaper and make her a house chicken? She will eventually realize that the others are penned up and can't torment her. For now, she has come out of the barn a bit and she was dust/sun bathing just inside the barn door so at least she's getting fresh air and sunshine.

 

[Breezy_Living]

Two of our hens used to not get along well but once our rooster found his "voice" (and his attitude) he kept the girls from getting too out of hand. Now he scolds any of the hens that get a little too territorial.
Perhaps someone in your area needs to rehome a rooster?

 

[dianneS]

I may have to seek out a free rooster.

My hen is in a cat carrier in the house for the night. I may get her some diapers and make her a house chicken! I could keep her in my tack room, its attached to the house. She can go outside and free range as long as the others are penned up for the day. She is a nice, sweet little fluff ball, she'd make a nice pet!

 

[mulewagon]

The same thing happened a few months ago to my bottom-ranking hen. The other hens kept trying to lynch her! I found her hiding in a nest box behind a broody, and the others were dragging her out.

So I waited after they pulled her out, and the whole mob came tearing out of the coop - I grabbed first of the persecutors, and locked her in a raised cage. Instant silence fell - the rest of the hens stood there for a while, looking up at their leader in the cage. Then they wandered off. The leader didn't come back, and the flock is much more civilized now.

I still had to feed the bottom hen up on a trash can for a while, as she was too scared to eat with the others. She's much better now, and has put on weight.

 

[Kadjain]

Someone who just picked up a rooster from me had the same thing happen. Her first rooster died and the hens started killing right down the hierarchy line. She got the rooster thinking it would settle the flock down again. I haven't heard back from her yet but I told her if it didn't work out with the rooster I'd take him back. So hopefully that fixed it.

 

[dianneS]

Quote:
I have a friend with way too many roos right now. I'm going to be taking one of hers. I'm hoping it works.

This same friend would take my hen, but she is so terrified, I think changing locations would be even more traumatic for her. We're keeping her inside for now and nursing her back to health. Maybe I'll rehome her when she's stronger.

 

[BooBear]

poor girl.
Yep, a good rooster is worth his feed by keeping peace. There are some good suggestions on this post.
If you lived close to me I would give you a young cockeral who is good. Hope you can get everyone resorted and back to a peaceful flock again. Hope your sweet banty recovers from her ordeal.