Day 2: Chickens Attacking, HELP!

[EllaGrace1]

This is Day 2 of us monitoring our chickens for attacking each other, specifically one hen. For some context: We are first time chicken owners. We have 5 RIR hens who are about 10 months old. They had a RIR rooster that grew up with them, but we had to get rid of him about 2 months ago because of city limitations. The pecking order was established very early and since then we hadn’t had any problems. However, a couple days ago, we noticed 3/5 attacking one. This hen was 2nd in the pecking order, so we thought maybe the pecking order was rearranging. Until they drew blood. 1 and 4 attack her if she gets anywhere near them and 5 attacks if she sees the other ones attacking. It was to the point where they were running her away from the group and keeping her from the food and water. So, we started going through the reasons on why this is happening and doing some research. They should have enough room. They have a 5ftx5ft coop, 10ftx40ft run, and get free-range time. Room shouldn’t be an issue so it shouldn’t be space dominance. From what we’ve read, the pecking order shouldn’t be bloody. We’ve seen the pecking order kind of lurking in the background through chirps and small pecks, but this is full on jumping on the hen and pecking feathers, comb, anywhere that’ll do damage. So we thought, well, maybe it’s bullying. We separated the instigators (1 and 4) from the group and from each other for a few hours. However, that didn’t seem to solve anything and led to 5 attacking 2. We let them all out to free range in case it was space, but that didn’t help either. We then separated 2 and everything seemed to go back to being peaceful? We also read and were told that blood could cause chickens to become hostile. However, 1 attacked, ripped, and ate a piece of 5’s comb but then they all left her alone after it was bleeding?
Now, starting on day 2. We let them out to free range this morning and kind of watched them. 2 sticks with 3 who still acts like everything is normal. However, 5 came up and kind of lunged at 2. While monitoring, we could see 1 and 4 kind of watching 2 and trying to find ways to get past us and to her. Which got us thinking, could we have done this? See, we love all of our chickens, however one kind of stole our hearts. We have been kind of favoring her by giving her some extra treats, talking to her a little more than the rest, and overall gravitating towards her. From what we read, sometimes the biggest comb is the top hen. However, the one that we’ve been favoring is top. So maybe she got too full of herself and started attacking? Maybe she thought we were favoring another, which caused her to attack 2? We don’t know who started the attacking, but it was either 1 or 4. We don’t know what’s causing it or what to do. Right now 2, the injured one, is separated. Her comb is looking much better today, only about 3 black blood scabs, so maybe it’ll be gone in a few days? We leave for vacation tomorrow and don’t want to leave her to get attacked by the rest. PLEASE HELP!!!!

 

[Bawkbok]

I'm sorry you're having behavioral issues with your flock. I'm not familiar with such issues as a new chicken owner myself, but there are many others on this site with experience who will hopefully chime in soon to provide assistance. Just wanted to say welcome to BYC and congratulations on your new flock. You are in the correct place to get answer you seek / need. I hope you can find a remedy before departing for vacation so you can enjoy yourself. Best of luck.

 

[EllaGrace1]

I'm sorry you're having behavioral issues with your flock. I'm not familiar with such issues as a new chicken owner myself, but there are many others on this site with experience who will hopefully chime in soon to provide assistance. Just wanted to say welcome to BYC and congratulations on your new flock. You are in the correct place to get answer you seek / need. I hope you can find a remedy before departing for vacation so you can enjoy yourself. Best of luck.

Thank you!!

 

[FrostRanger]

First, what's their diet like? Second, your run sounds plenty big but does it have clutter (stuff that breaks line of sight so a bird being chased can hide)? I'd also add a few more feeders and waterers spread out through the area so the others can't keep the victim from eating or drinking. Next, I'd do a health check to make sure she isn't ill or injured. Chickens will sometimes turn on a flock member if they're sick or injured. If all is well there, I'd actually put the victim in a crate in the area for a few weeks. It seems counterintuitive but a few weeks in there may help her get her confidence back. If that doesn't solve things, I'd put pinless peepers on the bullies. If that fails, some decisions will need to be made regarding which birds to keep as some birds just won't get along

 

[EllaGrace1]

First, what's their diet like? Second, your run sounds plenty big but does it have clutter (stuff that breaks line of sight so a bird being chased can hide)? I'd also add a few more feeders and waterers spread out through the area so the others can't keep the victim from eating or drinking. Next, I'd do a health check to make sure she isn't ill or injured. Chickens will sometimes turn on a flock member if they're sick or injured. If all is well there, I'd actually put the victim in a crate in the area for a few weeks. It seems counterintuitive but a few weeks in there may help her get her confidence back. If that doesn't solve things, I'd put pinless peepers on the bullies. If that fails, some decisions will need to be made regarding which birds to keep as some birds just won't get along

We have multiple water and feeders spread out so she is eating and drinking now. We didn’t even think to put some stuff around for her to hide, there’s a couple things like a bench and frame thing but nothing really for her to hide behind. They eat Dumor layer crumble, mealworms, and scratch grain. Occasionally they’ll get blueberries, kale, and other safe fruits/veggies. We’re planning on waiting to see how they fare over the weekend before separating any of them.

 

[FrostRanger]

I would try switching to a high protein feed and cutting out treats (for now). Sometimes too little protein will cause birds to be more aggressive. Can't say it's necessarily the cause here, but it's worth a try to see if it helps things

 

[Debbie292d]

Do you have anyone taking care of them while you're gone?

If so, since you won't be around to know who is attacking whom, I'd pull out the instigators and victims and pen up together who you can separate from the rest. There is no fix for this when you're not around so separation is for their safety.

If nobody is caring for them, then I'd secure a couple of waterers to the pen so they can't tip them over. The same with extra feeders. Be sure there's a box or something for them to sleep at night and get out of the elements.

If you have no such pen, look on Marketplace for a pet pen for your area. There's bound to be a couple.

 

[rosemarythyme]

We didn’t even think to put some stuff around for her to hide, there’s a couple things like a bench and frame thing but nothing really for her to hide behind.

Sounds like you have lots of room but yes clutter can help provide hiding places as well as give them something to do to alleviate boredom, which can be a contributor to behavioral issues. Plenty of examples here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/page-6#post-25037140

 

[Folly's place]

All good advice so far! I agree that the diet is an issue here too; go to an all flock feed, 20% protein, leave out the scratch and mealworms at least for now. Check the mill date on each bag! We feed within two months of the mill date.
Sometimes chickens act like little velociraptors! We quit getting hatchery RIRs or red sex-links because many of them were 'difficult' with their flockmates, sadly.
Mary

 

[EllaGrace1]

I would try switching to a high protein feed and cutting out treats (for now). Sometimes too little protein will cause birds to be more aggressive. Can't say it's necessarily the cause here, but it's worth a try to see if it helps things

We started putting them on high protein food today. They’re not acting like they want to attack her anymore, but she’s real skittish around them. So we think we need to try and boost her confidence. Her comb is looking much better and we’ve only seen them kind of getting aggressive when she gets close to them. Thank you for the help!!