Nestbox Fighting

[murphrandir]

We got chickens three years ago, and I have seen squabbles over just about everything. Today I went out to check eggs, and I saw one of my chickens covered in blood. Naturally, I assumed something had tried to kill her, but there was no blood or feathers in the area. THEN I saw one of the nest boxes. It looks like a murder scene. She has no other wounds, except for it seems that a couple of her points on her comb are missing. I know that combs bleed pretty crazily… I cleaned her up to the best of my ability and sprayed with Vetericyn, but I don’t know what else to do… mostly in regards to this happening again. I have no idea who the aggressor was, I don’t see blood on anybody else. And like I’ve said, I have NEVER seen squabbles over nest boxes to this degree. Help!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'd just clean her up really well, spray with the Vetericyn and let her go back with the flock.

Combs do bleed like crazy, she may have injured the comb in a different area and went to the nesting box for protection. Hard to know and it's just speculation on my part. Here's why, I speculate she may have not been in a nesting box battle...

Your photo. There's little to no blood spatter, the blood is rubbed and smeared on the wood, consistent of a hen rubbing the comb on the back of the nesting box, the coagulated blood lower is consistent of her rubbing the blood on the box there as well as she's adjusted herself in the box. Ime, when there's a battle, there is blood spatter.
No eggs are broken, usually a battle that fierce, you'd have at least a broken egg or two. You don't have another hen with any blood on them or injuries/pecks(?). And to lose a couple of points, they look like they have been sliced/cut on wire fencing or a staple instead of being picked off.

Observe to see if you note any fighting over the next few days.

Just my 2¢

 

[murphrandir]

I never even thought about that. Those are good points. Now I’m going to have to think about where she could have gotten herself hung up on. I’ve never noticed any kind of fighting that extreme- not today or any other day- so you’re probably onto something.

 

[murphrandir]

I'd just clean her up really well, spray with the Vetericyn and let her go back with the flock.

Combs do bleed like crazy, she may have injured the comb in a different area and went to the nesting box for protection. Hard to know and it's just speculation on my part. Here's why, I speculate she may have not been in a nesting box battle...

Your photo. There's little to no blood spatter, the blood is rubbed and smeared on the wood, consistent of a hen rubbing the comb on the back of the nesting box, the coagulated blood lower is consistent of her rubbing the blood on the box there as well as she's adjusted herself in the box. Ime, when there's a battle, there is blood spatter.
No eggs are broken, usually a battle that fierce, you'd have at least a broken egg or two. You don't have another hen with any blood on them or injuries/pecks(?). And to lose a couple of points, they look like they have been sliced/cut on wire fencing or a staple instead of being picked off.

Observe to see if you note any fighting over the next few days.

Just my 2¢



View attachment 4079942

Well we were extra careful to look for nails/staples etc today and felt pretty good that it was a fluke. Lo and behold, now we have a Brahma with a piece taken out of her earlobe and a conspicuous puddle of blood. What the !$&@??

 

[murphrandir]

Well we were extra careful to look for nails/staples etc today and felt pretty good that it was a fluke. Lo and behold, now we have a Brahma with a piece taken out of her earlobe and a conspicuous puddle of blood. What the !$&@?? View attachment 4080403