Smiler Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 The girls have been having a few tussles all day today but at five o clock it all came to a head and Velma got very pecked by Speckle (the very grumpy one!) until she was pouring with blood. I gave Wernlas a call to see what was best to do and she said to take Velma and put her in a quiet/ dark box for the blood to dry as the others see red and will carry on pecking at her. I will go get some bumper bits tomorrow but is there anything else I should do? How long will they have to wear the bits before we try them without? Speckle had Freckle pinned to the floor of the hen house when we shut the door tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 oh dear sorry to hear that - there seem to be a lot of people having pecking order problems at the moment! Someone else on here has suggested squirting the bully with water. I've just separated out the two biggest bullies amongst my five, but I'm lucky because I have a spare Eglu at the moment - it's not easy to do if you don't have anywhere to put them. Have you got lots of different food stations, so they don't have to fight over them? I haven't used bumper bits but I believe you just leave them in indefinitely. There's a sticky on the Chicken Clinic Forum about them, you might find some info there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 We are having a similar problem with an established bunch, see my thread in 'chicken clinic' Once blood is drawn you need to rescue the victim as it gets worse and worse. Pecking order stuff is usually handbags and bravado and looks worse than it is, but hens soon revert back to their Dinosaur roots when they see blood. Bumper bits do work but are fun to fit, definately a two person job. Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I would remove Speckle and put her in a sin bin for a few days. That might alter the dynamics in the group and teach her a lesson too. You could try spraying the other two with Tea Tree spray , anti peck spray or Ukadex (Warning....smells and tastes particularly vile). That might put her off. The Bumpa bits will eventually wear out and drop off, so why not leave them? It will save you having to wrestle with the hens to remove them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler Posted March 28, 2008 Author Share Posted March 28, 2008 Thankyou for the replies! Velma had a good quiet night although we were all up worrying about her being alone. The blood is all dried up this morning so gave her a quick cuddle and let her in the run to feed first before letting the others out. They are all giving Speckle the wide birth but she is well grumpy. Extended neck. Have some relaxing remedy which will pop in the water to see if that can calm her hormones a bit. Last night she thought she was a cock and was mounting the others..............I said they could never be normal living here Have loads of weld mesh as we bought it ready to make the walk in pen so will make an isolation pen today. Think I have enough ply to do a temporary house too ............Just wish the weather was better to do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Best of luck Smiler - hope it all get sorted soon for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I would leave the bumper bit in until it eventually breaks. Then give the hen another chance. I have had two out of six in bumper bits: one gave up the habit after the bit fell out, the other didn't. If fitted tightly, they can last for up to a year. (I find it quite easy to fit the bit by myself, by the way: you just hold the hen tightly under one of your arms with her wings pinned down, and hold her head with the hand of the same arm.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler Posted March 28, 2008 Author Share Posted March 28, 2008 Thankyou Galina! The bumper bits arrived this morning and used a towel to wrap her in and like you managed it myself. She is now very disgruntled but calm has instantly returned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...