Very aggressive hen!

[CrazyChookz]

I have two hens in my flock, and they were raised together as chicks. When they were young, they got along fairly well together. They the smaller one had worms right after she moulted, and became extremely aggressive to the other hen, pecking her to the point of bleeding just because she tries to eat or drink. The pecking order was formed long ago, and the aggressive hen used to be very nice when she was a pullet. I am wondering why she is suddenly pecking the other hen for no reason. Is it because of the combined stress of moulting and having worms? How may I treat her situation?

Please help!

 

[Judy]

It could be that she started this because of needing more protein for both reasons, and trying to get more through eating feathers. I would probably separate them for a few days and work on upping nutrition, particularly animal source protein. It's difficult with just two; usually you separate the bully for several days, which drops her in the pecking order. It may be that this is a case where pinless peepers will have to be the approach. Good luck!

 

[CrazyChookz]

Thank you for your help!