bullying chickens

  hi all,  i have had my chickens for over a year and a half, i got them all at the same time, they have always got on well with no problems ........  till yesterday .......  two of my hens started pecking and pulling the feathers out of one of my other hens, they have drawn blood on her and wouldnt leave her alone,  i have seperated them, could anyone tell me what the reason for this could have been,  i never thought chickens could be like this,  thankyou,  peggygate

I'm with dinosaw on this one.  I think your chickens treated each other fine when they were all equal, but they have spotted some kind of weakness in this one and started to bully her.

I would suggest you keep the bullied one apart from the others for a few days.  Is there somewhere you can keep her where the others can see her but not get at her?  Keep a close eye on her for any sign of illness or injury.  Give her plenty of good food to boost her up. 

Also put some antiseptic spray on the areas where the others have drawn blood.  The purple spray mentioned a lot on here is good, as it is both antiseptic and disguises the colour of blood so the others aren't attracted to peck her again.