Why would they do this?

[2boxers]

My smallest RIR pullet, Tiny, had been sick last month but she got better. She didn't seem to be growing as fast as the rest of my girls, though. The skin on her feet and legs seemed white, but they had from the start. I had not noticed that the rest of the flock was treating her aggressively, yet tonight when I went to close them in the coop for the night, I found her dead-pecked to death, in the entrance of the coop.

This is my first flock of girls, so I must ask:

Is this normal?

What can I do to prevent it in the future?

Thanks, y'all.

 

[s6bee]

Yes, it can be considered normal unfortunately. If there is a weak chick/hen they will try to get rid of it on thier own. It's sad. So I would make sure that any ill hens are fully healed before reintroducing. It's touch.

Sorry for your loss....

 

[2boxers]

Wow! I just hate that. They chose today, of all days, to do this to the poor thing. We were gone all day. It's as if they decided that since Mommy was gone, they might as well off the weakest link.

 

[rooster-red]

In the wild birds often kill the weakest to insure survival of the fitest.

 

[tricia]

I'm so sorry, 2boxers....