Flock-inflicted injuries?

15 years ago

For the second year in a row, we've had a problem with one of our 1/2 dozen chickens suddenly developing a limp. The first year (March 2010) the smallest chicken (an Araucana) developed a limp and seemed to have a back and/or hip injury. Her health never improved and we eventually had to give her away. She was the smallest chicken in the flock and laid blueish eggs.

Recently (March 2011), another chicken (a Speckled Sussex) has developed the same limp and apparent hip/back problems and we're experiencing deja vu. She is also the smallest chicken in the flock. Both years, the problem began around late winter when the weather began to warm up and the chickens were a bit more active.

I strongly suspect that the one or more of the hens (we have a Black Australorp, NH Red, and a Barred Rock) is literally beating up the smallest hen pretty ruthlessly. We also have a Buff Orphington and a Salmon Favorelle, but they are a bit more docile and friendly.

The Speckled Sussex is one of my favorite hens and she seems pretty resilient and self-reliant except for this recent problem. She lays smaller eggs, which I prefer over the larger eggs. Given our past experience with the Araucana, I don't have much hope for her recovery and I'm afraid she will meet a similar fate.

Question: Has anyone experienced these problems and can they provide some advice?

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Comments (6)

sharonite2
15 years ago
As an update to my prior post, one of the other chickens is also now limping. She's the second smallest. Just by observation alone, I suspect that the Black Australorp is the culprit, so I've contained her in a small enclosure. She paces back and forth and doesn't like it, but it's the only alternative for now. I want to see if the limping chickens will heal. They are up and about and continue to eat and lay eggs, so that's promising.
chelcass
15 years ago
It's not unsual for a larger hen (s) to pick on a small hen. They will keep pestering the small hen(s) and even kill them. The hen you have penned up is probably thinking she is *king* of the roost. When you don't have a rooster a dominate hen will step into that roll. I currently have a large hen with a twisted foot. I have to keep her in a separate pen as the other chickens will peck her to death.
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memo3
15 years ago
Ditto what Chelcass said. Also, when you do get a rooster, he will often choose a particular hen to beat and peck to death. It's an hierarchy thing in the bird world. Not much you can do about it.
beegood_gw
15 years ago
Chickens are not really known for being compassionate creatures. They do not lose sleep over flock members they injure. Survival of the fittest is their motto. Of course not all do this but once started hard to stop .
adel97
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, everyone. Understood. It's just the way it is in the chicken world. One thing that may help is to increase the size of the run, which I plan to do. H/e, that doesn't reduce any aggression that takes place in the coop.
velvet_sparrow
15 years ago
Memo, I've never had a roo beat and peck any of my hens to death or even pick on them, so if it keeps happening to you I'd suggest changing the breed of roo you have--go for a more calm, docile breed such as Americaunas or Barred Rocks. Have a roo do that is very extreme and unusual.

Sharonite, if your birds have been cooped for a snowy winter, they likely kinda have cabin fever. Boredom and overcrowding can lead to things like pecking and bullying. Make sure the smaller hens have places to hide and get away from the bigger girls and offer them all something to occupy them--raw corn on the cob or a cabbage hung from a string (make sure they can't get tangled in the string) take time to eat, divert pecking to a more constructive use and provide entertainment.

I'd also suggest checking the pads of the injured hen's feet for swelling and other signs of Bumblefoot. It can be caused by something as simple as a hard landing from jumping off the roosts or an injury to the foot pad.

If the one hen is being a bully, isolating her for a few days is a good idea. I'd also make a point to pick her up and pet her in front of the other girls, don't put her down when she struggles, put her down when YOU are ready. This will help take her down the pecking order a notch or two both in her own mind and in the eyes of the other girls. You can also hang around a bit and if she bullies the small hens, take the attitude that those hens are your babies and you are a big, bad, broody mama--chase her away, and chase her just a bit more than necessary, saying 'No!' in a loud voice. Don't hurt her, of course, you are just making the point that bullying won't be tolerated in your presence and asserting yourself as Head Roo/Hen. :)

Velvet ~:>