Solitary chicken - need advice

[Trapper]

I thought that I would write this posting following all of the trouble I had a few weeks ago.

 

After having one chickens put down because of bullying, giving away the bully and then two of my remaining three turning into cannibals I was about to give up.

 

However, I took the beaten up chicken out of the main run (as mine are in a permanent run) and let her free range and sleep in a rabbit hutch to let her wounds heal and a few feathers start to grow.

 

I then bought some Ukadex and gave her a good spray. Well after only two pecks that I have seen and touching wood the bullies are no longer interested in touching their coop mate after two weeks.

 

I would just like to recommend this cause of treatment to anyone who thinks that bullying is starting. As I found it had a very quick reaction to the two bullies who kept wiping their beaks on anything to get rid of the smell/taste? But it works and now harmony rules.

 

Just one small problem now, one of the bullies has decided to become moody and broody, but a good bath in cold water seems to have given her the shock that she needed.

 

I hope this posting helps others who are suffering or might suffer from bullying, as it is one of the worse things that could happen and completely took away the fun of keeping chickens and gave endless days and nights of worry and sadness for the poor beaten chicken.

 

You can order Ukadex from Merrydale Poultry, send them an email requesting a Google purchase form and order that way this halves the package and posting. Excellent service I got mine within 2 days.

[Egg Lou]

Hi Trapper

 

Thanks for the great info.. I haven't got my girls yet but been bit concerned about any bullying as they will be in shut in run during work hours and heard they can get a bit frustrated!

 

Hopefully I'll never need this but will "bank" the info just in case!

[Cyber Chook]

Hi Trapper, what a relief for you, and thanks for passing on your success story (touch wood, as you said).

 

One of my chickens (I've only had them 10 days) has been picked on a little and getting a little bald patch. I'm waiting a while to see if they just sort the old pecking order out before taking any action, but this is really good to know about and bear in mind.

 

I think from what I've read that the sooner you get on top of it and break the habit the better, so thanks in advance, hopefully though I won't need to deal with this issue.

 

I feel like I'm on playground duty in primary school

 

Caroline

[Egluntyne]

I'm glad it worked for you.

[Laura & CTB]

So glad you got it sorted. I've also had success with the Ukadex even if it does have to sit on the shelf inside two plastic bags to keep in the smell.

[Mrs Frugal]

That's great news, Trapper. It's awful stuff but if it makes life easier for a bullied hen, boy, is it worth it .

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Glad you've found a solution, Trapper. That must be a huge relief.

 

Thanks for posting the advice - it'll hopefully save some other chicken keeper the upset you've been through.

[Trapper]

Cheers folks

 

I know that you all gave me advise when I had the bullying problems.

 

I just wanted to say to others out there don't wait for the situation to get as bad as mine got for the sake of £10.00. The stuff really did work and I would never have believed it a month ago.

 

Thanks to you all.

 

Trapper

[safari chick]

Having read the messages above I have ordered some for £13.99 including postage. I asked them to send me a google order form as suggested and they did within 24 hours - thanks for the advice. I'll keep it in the cupboard just in case my ex-batts dont get on once I get them home.