[graces-chickens]

Molly is one of the hens that grace has added to her brood of 12.

unfortunately she seems to be getting picked on - quite badly - i know there is a pecking order but she keeps trying to dodge and hide from the others and spends alot of time in the shed now because she is pecked so much.  She also has a very dirty bottom and as in a previous topic someone mentioned that they do get dirty 'knickers' and to wash her down know and again i have been doing this but it is the same the very next day.  today We bought her in the kitchen because her one eye has closed, im presuming she has had rather a nasty peck on it and they are still attacking her.  So she was in the kitchen and did a poo on the floor and there was just clear fluid and not alot of anything else!!!!

what do i need to do - and shall i put her in the pen with the younger chicks for a while to recouperate!

She is a lovely little hen - and i feel so sorry for her has anyone got any advice.......

thank you graces chickens mom

[nicky d]

sorry to hear about your hen,  there are a couple of things you could try, firstly if you can identify if its just one hen thats picking on the little one then you could remove that girl and pop her away for a couple of days, when you re introduce her she will have lost her pecking order.   It all depends if you want them all to live together as one flock, if you have the room then and its a few girls that are picking on her then prehaps separating her with a couple of the younger ones will do the trick, this will give her time to get over her ordeal.    With reference to the poo, i think im right in saying that clear watery poos are a sign that shes not eating, please someone correct me if im wrong,   with her getting picked on so badly she is probably not being allowed to feed, placing a few feeders and drinkers separated and around the run will hopefully let her feed.    You will have to keep watch on her eye, prehaps a visit to the vets if it doesnt heal or she doesnt open it.    Establishing the pecking order can be very brutal,  i think just use your common sense, if you think its just too much for the little hen then separate them,     Good luck and i hope your little girl recovers.   nickyx

[hillfooter]

Well that seems like some good advice I'd just add that she obviously has some health problems and maybe that's why she's being picked on.  Are there any other symptoms like nasal discharge watery eyes, sneezing, swollen face or sinuses.  signs of depression or torpor.  Conjunctivitus can be due to a respiratory infection.   If you think she has some infection it might be best to isolate her completely rather than put her with younger chx and risk infecting them too.  Obviously the dirty rear and eye problem need to be watched as though being bullied might be an explaination there are others which might need medication.
Many illnesses are triggered by stress and she certainly seems like she's suffering some stress.
HF