Bullied pullet with bare back

[Shelbysoobs]

My bottom of the pecking order pullet has a bare back that I just noticed. It seems like it’s old and healing and feathers are starting to grow back now.

she has been integrated into the flock for several weeks with 2 friends, after spending 1 1/2 weeks separated in a dog crate with the 2 friends. I think my 4 barred rocks pullets that are the oldest and biggest are the bullies, but they don’t seem to go after her much anymore though she still hides a lot and is terrified. They will chase her off but won’t chase her down..

She is making it out of hiding for food and water but spends a lot of time hiding behind one of the many plywood partitions I’ve given them. I have 5 sources of food and 2 sources of water and everyone is getting enough.

Would you leave her with the rest of the flock or bring her back to a brooder and risk her being forgotten by the flock and starting over? I have a dog crate I can use to separate her but I don’t have a way to give her water in the dog crate without making a trip home then back to the farm.

Thanks!!

Housing info / flock info: There are 22 pullets in a hoop coop for temporary housing, 10x12 size, I know that is too small for grown hens but it does seem like everyone has enough room for now. most of the pullets are 12 weeks or younger. We are working on their 12x18 coop and 30x50 run which is almost done. They will also have free range access come spring time.

 

[azygous]

Read this. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/ It's my program to rehabilitate a bullying victim.

Chickens do not forget. They have very good memories of their flock mates. One can disappear for months, and when she returns, they will all remember her. There is no fooling chickens.

Space is a requirement for a peaceful flock because a chicken who is trying to evade a bully needs plenty of space to do it. In a small run, it's too easy for a bully to trap a victim.

Lastly, a bully will take their cue from a timid, nervous chicken to bully them. I've discovered that by restoring the victim's self confidence practically eliminates the bullying. The article tells how to do it.

 

[Shelbysoobs]

Read this. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/ It's my program to rehabilitate a bullying victim.

Chickens do not forget. They have very good memories of their flock mates. One can disappear for months, and when she returns, they will all remember her. There is no fooling chickens.

Space is a requirement for a peaceful flock because a chicken who is trying to evade a bully needs plenty of space to do it. In a small run, it's too easy for a bully to trap a victim.

Lastly, a bully will take their cue from a timid, nervous chicken to bully them. I've discovered that by restoring the victim's self confidence practically eliminates the bullying. The article tells how to do it.

That is awesome!!! I love your philosophy and absolutely agree her timid nature is part of what’s attracting unwanted bullying behavior.

How old would you think her injuries appear to be? Nothing appears fresh so I’m wondering if they’ve already worked it out or she still needs separation.

I am planning on a separate brooder run / jail / rooster quarantine area in our current infrastructure build so I will absolutely use it for bully victims too in the future.

 

[azygous]

Her injuries appear to be ongoing. Those appear to be relatively recent pecking wounds. She would have new pin feathers coming in if the bullies had lost interest in her.

 

[Shelbysoobs]

Her injuries appear to be ongoing. Those appear to be relatively recent pecking wounds. She would have new pin feathers coming in if the bullies had lost interest in her.

Thank you! I will go check on her soon and hopefully it will not be worsened. I was hoping those few pin feathers were a good sign but it is true that it’s mostly bare and there are also scabs too so what you’re saying makes sense.

 

[Shelbysoobs]

She is doing great, she is spending much of her time out of hiding and with the flock and they are leaving her alone.