[McheleM]

We have backyard chickens. 3 of them. I went out to check on them earlier and my little black and white (I call her my zebra chicken) named Delilah was in the nesting box. I noticed there was an egg in there so I reached in to get it and she came out of the box. I noticed she had an area on her back, down by her tail that was raw and bloody, so I went to come to the house to get the dog carrier so I could out her in it and immediately the other 2 started pecking at that area. I just picked her up and brought her in the house with me to get the carrier. I called my son and he and his friend came and said that it looked pretty bad and they were probably going to have to put her down.... I cried like a baby!!

Anyway my sons friend took her to a lady who handles the details and after looking at it further, she thinks she can nurse her back to health, and heal the wound. So please just say a prayer for Delilah.... I know she's just a chicken, but she's my favorite chicken and I hate that her sisters did this,

We are watching the other 2 carefully, and I am scouring the internet to see why, and how to remedy it. Apparently chickens will do this if they are bored or lacking protein (their feed has protein and they get oyster shells for extra protein so I am assuming its boredom.) I'm going to get a few things tomorrow to help with the boredom, and if it continues, we may have to get rid of the guilty one.