fighting

[roadkill]

i think i may have a problem with two hens ...

for at least 2 hours this morning two hens were fighting each other at first i was going to leave them as i have been told that there is a pecking order ..

but it went on for a few hours so i split them up and moved them apart but minutes later they were back at each other ....

one of them is worst than the other and the cone is pretty pecked up and there was also blood round its face and near the eye so i have decided to take the batterd one out for the night ( this will not be an option next time as i have got to give the spare pen back to the chap i borrowed it off)

how do i overcome this problem and stop them fighting ?

did i also do right in seperating them? or should i have left them to it

jamie

[JILLY JACKSON]

what a worry roadkill,sorry i dont know but will look out for answers you get with interest as any of us could get this problem.Sounds like a couple of cock birds would behave from what ive read.I have one hen that acts like a male but the others dont challenge her.Hope things get resolved for you soon.

[CountryFayre]

Hi there,

You need to try and remove the dominant bird for a few days if at all possible and then replace her at night into the house.

If there is blood then remove the bleeding bird immediatley as the other birds will home in on her and peck her to death. You can get Anti Pek Spray which can be appllied to the bird to prevent the others pecking.

You need to look at what has sparked this off if you can. Have you added new birds, have they been stressed, are they bored?

[CountryFayre]

just read your previous post so that has answered a few of the questions above. It is probably the general stress of moving home. Most chickens shift about quite happily but occasionally you get the odd one that just doesn't take kindly to it all. There are some general tonics available which will help birds in these time. Cider vinegar (the unrefined stuff) diluted 1fl oz per gallon of water - not in metal drinkers though!! Poultry boost, poultry drink. The other thing which may help in the future (don't know if you did this or not) is to keep them shut in the house for a few hours. In the dark they tend to settle and stay clamer, not sure why but it seems to just calm the 'event' down before adding more excitement by lettting them out into a very strange environment.

[roadkill]

i have re introduced the bloody birg today and all seems ok i have also noticed that the bird that got the beating is also the one who push's all of the other birds about ...