Victimized Chicken

[Culland]

I have 15 laying hens, all about 1 year old. They were chicks together, they lived in a coop together, they spent the winter in the same barn, then back to an out door movable coop again in the spring and were there for a couple months. As of a couple weeks ago they all started pecking on one of the chickens, so much that she was wedging herself into a crack behind the feeder to escape. Her comb was all black or bleeding and the back of her head all scabbed up. So I separated her out and let her heal, then tried putting her back. At first things were back to normal, then about an hour later they all attacked her again, making her head all bloody.

Any idea why they suddenly turned on this one hen? Anything I can do?

Cul

 

[faykokoWV]

I don't know why they would suddenly start attacking her like that. Was she sick? you may want to see if you can find a nice home for her

 

[blueskylen]

mine started picking at each other last winter while they were bored at being inside. someone said to up the percentage of protein in their food, and that seemed to help, plus letting them out to roam around in the run and yard a bit during the evenings too.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
Do they have a run and/or yard to free range in. I let mine out into the yard with plenty of treats so the birds will fixate more on the treats than each other. Also are there one or two hens that seem to be the instigators? I had two hens that were bullies. Once I removed them all was good with the flock. When I reintegrated them one of the bullies started the pecking again. I removed the bully again and put her in chicken jail for another week. When I let her out this time she seemed ok. She was being a sneak. I caught her wailing away on one of the pullets. I had a hose handy and gave her a good squirt which took her by surprise as she was so intent on beating up the pullet. After a few times with squirts with the hose she finally settled down. I guess she was finally tired of being squirted and decided it just wasn't worth it.

 

[horsejody]

Keep her separate until she heals. Then put 1 or 2 of your quietest hens from the big group with her. Let them live together and bond for a while. Reintroduce everybody together. It's easier to reintegrate if more than one is coming in. Also, reitroduce them at night. Just put them on the roost after dark.

 

[Culland]

Thanks for the tips I will give this stuff a try and see what happens. Last year they were free range, but so far this year I have just been moving their pen around since when I let them out they all run straight across the field to the garden. Once the garden is done I will let them out again for the fall.

Thanks again,

Cul