She bit him hard :(

[lemonora]

This Friday (2 days ago) was the last day of quarantine for our new buddy and we took him into the living room where all the other birds are (3 birds) one female and 2 males, we let them out and the female (Elsa) kept going to him like welcoming him and sitting in front of his cage, even reaching in and eating his food he even started eating from what ever she was eating, I was so happy especially that he wasn’t eating much in his quarantine time, it was really nice to watch them eat and interact, she was pleasant for a day and a half, and then suddenly she bit him so hard that he screamed and kept rising his foot up, and there was a clear bite mark on his foot he was even making sad noises for a few minutes, but after a while he was ok, eating and chirping again, but now I’m afraid that she would do it again, I was so happy to see him starting to feel safe, and now after the bite I’m afraid he may go back to the beginning.
Should I cover him up completely when I let her out today? So she can’t hurt him?
your advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Shirls]

Hi lemonora, unfortunately hens have a habit of doing this, mine does. I don't suppose your hen will do it all the time, but they seem to have a fascination for biting feet and tails! My hen does it if a male is above her and she is in the cage, she will reach up and bite. I basically stop this by placing a large toy above her so the male can't sit on top and tease. You just have to keep an eye out, that's all I can say. I know my hens favourite places to sit inside so there is a toy on top of each place!!! Things we have to do aye?

It is so upsetting (for us) to see our little bud holding a foot up after having been bitten. You might need to check the foot in a couple of days time to make sure it hasn't got infected, or is still sore. Perhaps someone else can advise more than me.

[lemonora]

Thank you shirls
Your reply is very helpful and comforting thanks again
and ok I will keep an eye on his foot 

[Marianne Marlow]

My hens do this too. During the day, all of my cages have newspaper and either toys or seed bowls on top.

Hope your little boy is ok.

[lemonora]

Thanks Marianne I covered the top of his cage
And a bit of the front till I put her back
Thanks so much for your input it’s been comforting and useful

[Hezz]

Yeah, the hens can be like this. All you can do is supervise and be vigilant. Usually they will sort things out for themselves but you don't want to risk serious injuries either, so be prepared to step in quickly for the time being when they are out together.

I put an old sheet over a cage top when there is the possibility of either bird being injured.

[samwiseg]

I too use newspaper on the top of the cage to limit them slipping through the cage bars as well as stopping the feet biters

Can be so mean at times can't they? You wouldn't think it how beautiful they look would you?!

[lemonora]

Oct 6, 2019 9:21:01 GMT Hezz said:

Yeah, the hens can be like this. All you can do is supervise and be vigilant. Usually they will sort things out for themselves but you don't want to risk serious injuries either, so be prepared to step in quickly for the time being when they are out together.

I put an old sheet over a cage top when there is the possibility of either bird being injured.

Thanks Hezz
I will cover the cage and be very vigilant and hopefully it won't happen again
Thanks again I appreciate your reply:)

[lemonora]

Oct 6, 2019 10:11:47 GMT samwiseg said:

I too use newspaper on the top of the cage to limit them slipping through the cage bars as well as stopping the feet biters

Can be so mean at times can't they? You wouldn't think it how beautiful they look would you?!

Thanks Samwiseg
Yeah I agree with you they sure can be mean, even though they are beautiful fluff balls
Will be covering the cage for all the many reasons
Thanks for your input