chicken question

[luv2bmom]

Last week I discovered 1 of my hens was getting pecked by 2 chickens that I saw.  I removed her & she is doing well, last night I put her back in the coop & they settled in well.  This morning dh had to remove the hen again as she was cowering with her head tucked in the corner of the coop, frightened.  He placed her in the run when the 1 mean hen went at her again....so back in the pole barn she went.  I'm not for sure what to do....I thought about taking the aggressive hen out for a few days...I really don't want to have 3 hens in one place and 1 in another...any advice?

[lintonmom]

We have one aggressive hen and adding a rooster to the coop has helped keep the peace a little.  Is that an option?

~Ann~

[luv2bmom]

Ann, we really don't want a rooster but I understand they keep the peace!  It's crazy how they've been together for over 2 yrs and now this is happening....thanks for the idea!

[XenosPioneer]

Is the pecked hen acting fine otherwise?  We had a weasel get into our coop.  It attacked one hen but we scared it off before it could kill the hen.  We did not remove her from the coop and she perked back up after a few minutes, but within the next half hour (as we were securing the coop and hubby was "hunting" the weasel) the rooster started attacking/rejecting her...  Just wonder if something may have happened to the pecked hen that she is suddenly being rejected.  Just a thought, hope they can live together again.

Jessica

[luv2bmom]

Jessica, last week when I noticed her not moving, not responding I gave her a warm water bath thinking maybe an egg was stuck in her vent....she was fine but she seemed sick....I placed her in the run after I dried her off and they pecked at her almost as soon as I sat her down, I think they had been at her all day before I noticed.  She has been alone in our polebarn for a week, has her strength back but boy oh boy the one hen does not want her back in! 

The only thing is they are all molting.....her bottom feathers are nearly gone....she's looking good now though!  So it's a mystery unless they sensed her not feeling well......Pixie

[mooremama]

Pixie,
I do know that chickens are cannibalistic and will prey on the weak, sick and injured. 

If at all possible, I would recommend that you fix your recovering hen a place inside the coop where she can be with the flock but seperated from them.  Maybe run some chicken wire inside the coop or run and give her her own corner??  That way the rest of the flock can see her and be around her without having access to her and then after a couple of days of that, you can try introducing her back into the flock. 

Good luck.

Beth

[luv2bmom]

Thanks Beth!!  This morning dh & I tarped off the end (the top is already tarped) to make shade, of a chain link kennel we have used as an extension to the coop.  We closed the access door to the 3 hens & placed the 1 in the kennel.  They all can see each other but no contact!  She was very agitated when we put her there, I think she was afraid of them coming at her!  Hopefully this will work!  She is doing much better but she seems skinny, so i'll wait for her to get some weight back on before trying to put her back.  I'm just happy she's out of the polebarn and on some grass!!  Pixie

[mooremama]

I hope it works Pixie.  I'm out of ideas after this one.    It is stressful to have to deal with sick and injured animals.  I hope she does well at putting on weight.  People say that chickens are dumb animals but I haven't found that to be so.  They are more observant than most people!! 

My only other suggestion would be to reintroduce her to the flock at night, slipping her onto the roost with the other hens.  If at all possible, be there early in the morning to observe them to make sure that she's being accepted.  I would also leave the kennel in the same place it's at now for a day or so after the reintroduction because the hens would notice the difference, possibly making them skittish that there's been a change.  If the injured hen is accepted back into the flock,  move the kennel. 

Beth

[luv2bmom]

Thanks so much Beth!  I will do exactly what you said!!   I agree chickens are smarter than given credit!  We enjoy ours until this little bump has made me worry!  HOpefully this will work with them being close by not accessible!  keeping my fingers crossed!  Pixie