[mrs chook]

Hi! Well, got my new girls today    they're both 20 weeks and lovely! BUT , the copper black seems to keep pecking the speckled every now & then. Is this normal ? Both from the same breeder . I can't separate them as betty our existing chooks is in the other hen house . Speckled (Dorothy ) is beginning to look a little nervous when Copper black (Martha ) is near

Thoughts please

[ANHBUC]

It is quite normal in new surroundings for them to establish a pecking order.  It is best to just observe and only intervene if blood is drawn.  If you don't have wound powder you can use ordinary corn flour on wounds to disguise and treat a wound.  Purple spray is good but I find corn flour covers blood better and stops bleeding quickly.  If you put a couple of feeders and drinkers in with them and they have space to escape each other that should help.   

[Sassy]

Once bleeding has stopped I would still use purple spray as it is an antiseptic and should help to keep the flies off.

[jle746]

I have a question.

We got 4 hens last April. They were 4 different breeds, a Light Sussex, a Bluebell, a Cuckoo Moran, and a . In June this year the Bluebell was taken by a fox.  We decided to get 2 more hens, as we knew it was wrong to get only one.  We got another Bluebell and a Black Rock both 21 weeks old.   However after 3 weeks the Sussex is still attacking the Black Rock and when she does the joins in the attack.  Before the original Bluebell was killed the Sussex and the Bluebell were inseparable.  Now the 2 new hens stay together, could it be that the Sussex is attacking the Black Rock because it is jealous? 

Is there any way to stop the attacks?      

[ANHBUC]

I have a question.

We got 4 hens last April. They were 4 different breeds, a Light Sussex, a Bluebell, a Cuckoo Moran, and a . In June this year the Bluebell was taken by a fox.  We decided to get 2 more hens, as we knew it was wrong to get only one.  We got another Bluebell and a Black Rock both 21 weeks old.   However after 3 weeks the Sussex is still attacking the Black Rock and when she does the joins in the attack.  Before the original Bluebell was killed the Sussex and the Bluebell were inseparable.  Now the 2 new hens stay together, could it be that the Sussex is attacking the Black Rock because it is jealous? 

Is there any way to stop the attacks?   

It is normal flock behaviour so they can establish the pecking order , just keep an eye out for any injuries.  Is the Sussex the bottom of the original flock pecking order?  It is usually that one that will try and get a step up the ladder.   

[mrs chook]

Thanks 4 the advice! Thought that would be the case! I must admit chicken keeping is addic
tive! I have OCD ! Obsessive chicken disorder !

[jle746]

The Sussex was the boss lady. We put her in isolation for a week, she is still attacking but not so bad.

[ANHBUC]

The Sussex was the boss lady. We put her in isolation for a week, she is still attacking but not so bad.

You can get a beak bit if she is inflicting damage, I have never used one but other members have.