4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[surferdog]

Have had a weekend of chicken hell - they seem to be working their way through the manual of chicken problems! I wonder if the heat is affecting them, is anyone else having problems?

 

Firstly we thought the limestone flour had solved the soft egg problem but we had 8 eggs in 24 hours from 3 hens . 3 perfect, 1 ginormous and 4 softees

 

They then decided to all start crowing (yes literally) at 9.00 o/c Sunday morning. We think it was because they didn't like the look of the parasol, we took it down and they eventually shut up.

 

Finally Hyacinth has resumed her vile bullying ways after weeks of peace. This time poor little Sylvie is her target. I found a heap of Sylvie's beautiful pencilled feathers in the run and Hyacinth is chasing her away from treats, food and water so it's back to the multiple food and water bowls. They also got really viscious in the treat scrum - not just the usual amusing antics but real comb pulling, squawking and pecking so treats are now withdrawn until they settle down again. Even when they are free-ranging Hyacinth is being an absolute pain. Have sent for the puppy play pen to use as a sin bin.

 

To add to the general mayhem I was taking extra food into the run for Sylvie, tripped over the branch and ended up sitting in a korma poo

 

Just waiting for Sky to approach me to appear on Neighbours from Hell and for the plague of rats, lice, mites to appear

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Oh dear . What a nightmare . Surely things can now only get better .

[cluckbok]

Oh dear, you are having a rough time of it. Just sit tight, it will be ok. Probably is the heat making them like that. Sounds like you doing your best to me. Damn I hate those korma poos too

[Gamebird]

To add to the general mayhem I was taking extra food into the run for Sylvie, tripped over the branch and ended up sitting in a korma poo

 

Just waiting for Sky to approach me to appear on Neighbours from Hell and for the plague of rats, lice, mites to appear

Sorry, but I had to laugh Well, you've got to really otherwise you'd go mad

 

We think it was because they didn't like the look of the parasol, we took it down and they eventually shut up.

I love the way they have an opinion on everything

 

Things can only get better

[Phosphorus]

I am beginning to think it is the heat too Hope things pick up for you - or Sky offer you great terms in your contract

[welsh sarah]

oh you poor thing i hope they all sort themselves out and settle down

 

sarah

[Egluntyne]

Why not get a bumper bit for the bully.

 

If you ring the **Wernlas Collection** they will send you a bumper bit for the price of a stamp.

 

Or you could spray the victim with Ukadex Spray, available from **Regency Poultry**.

 

Good luck.

[Gallina]

Bumper bits are wonderful, and save your sanity.

 

But don't just get one: get ten, because they are so cheap (10p each). Not that you will have ten bullies, but:

 

• They are easy to drop and lose while you are fitting them
  
• Some come off after only a few months
  
• One day you may get another problem hen
  
• It is nice having some to give away.

Find somewhere safe to keep them, however, as they are very losable: a tiny jar with a lid is ideal.

[surferdog]

Thank you all very much for the advice and support everyone. I have ordered the Ukadex and having read the attached will be in full bio-attack gear before applying because if anybody is going to end up covered in it, it will be me!

http://stonehead.wordpress.com/2007/04/26/if-this-doesnt-work/

 

I'm phoning Wernlas as soon as they open today to order the bumper bits.

 

We also took the four eggs we got at the weekend round to our (very nice) neighbour to apologise. He said 'They were going for it a bit on Sunday weren't they?' so obviously had noticed their racket although was too polite to mention it until we did. I can't imagine he'll want too many Sunday mornings like that though (and we certainly don't!) I think Hyacinth is lucky she ended up with us and not with a less sentimental poulty keeper - she is definitely 'One for the pot'...

[Egluntyne]

[it is nice having some to give away.

 

I had no trouble whatsoever getting rid of 138 recently.

[Abbey Road Girl]

The heat may have something to do with it. Poor Truffle was getting set upon yesterday with more nastiness than I've witnessed before. I sprayed her with some diluted tea tree oil (would have liked to have been able to explain that she'd done nothing wrong). That did seem to put an end to the bullying.

 

Hens are not always sweetness and light, are they?

[surferdog]

I sprayed her with some diluted tea tree oil :

 

That's an idea - will pick some up at lunch time while waiting for the Ukadex to arrive. Thanks!