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

[*mummy_hen*]

Hi all,

 

was out in the garden with my new babies this morning and noticed that on my baldest girly florence, either herself or one of the others had pecked one of her feather stumps and there was a tiny pin prick of blood, spent ages worrying, then decided it was nothing to worry about.

Then spoke to my mum who promptly put the fear of god into me saying her dad once had pigeons and one had a sore and the next morning they had pecked half it's head open.....thanks for the reassurance.

Now in a total state, crying my eyes out, watching them like hawks as i'm so worried they are going to terrorise her and pick on her.

All are fine, apart from Edwina who seems to be throwing her weight around with everyone today and biting them. I don't want to seperate her from them on day 2 as i just know she will hate it and it really is a little blob that has now scabbed a little. Tried wiping it off with a wet cloth but think it's where it's bruised a little won't come off.

Is this something i need to worry about, or will they just treat her like the others and it will heal fine in a couple of days?

[Tessa the Duchess]

Oh dear, poor you Where's Egluntine when you need her, she has all the answers to this kind of problem. From what I've read on the forum blood should always be concealed from the other chickens, I think people use Gentian Violet. If it has already scabbed over it is probably ok. Keep a close eye on her if you think she is being pecked at by the others, It is normal behaviour they are just sorting out the pecking order. I am sure someone else will be along who is more experienced than me with advice.

 

Tessa

[abwsco]

There was some pecking on the second day with our ex batts of combs which drew a small amount of blood. We just monitored it and they have all been fine. HTH

[bronze]

If its just a pin prick she should be fine. Just keep an eye on it in case thers more because the vultures do attack red. I use gentian violet too in such cases but if you dont have any if its just a small area you could cover it up with any cream

[Tara.F]

oh dear!

and you were so elated this morning!

 

Please try not to panic!

as bronze said...a pinprick will most likely be fine

keep an eye out for any bullying and if there is you can probably stop it with any cream that tastes nasty

 

If things escalate, you can use gentian violet (one of mine is currently smothered in the stuff....running round the garden a vision in neon purple you can buy it off the shelf in most horsey type shops.

 

it'll be okay! please don't cry! if the worse comes to the worse you just keep her in the house in a cardboard box for a couple of days (a great way to steal frequent cuddles and get a really tame chicken )

it's alllll good!

[Egluntyne]

Try not to worry. There are bound to be a few skirmishes in the early days.

 

All perfectly normal. Just monitor it, and if it gets unpleasant, wade in with a broom and separate them.

 

Gentian violet is very good as it conceals the wound, and is antiseptic too.

 

Try not to listen to horror stories....pop onto the forum for advice instead.

[Egg Lou]

Oh poor you! Hope things settle down shortly!

[Guest]

you can buy it off the shelf in most horsey type shops.

 

 

and chemists

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sorry to hear you're worried . Hopefully all the sound advice from others will reassure you!

[hennymom]

sorry you are worrying so soon after getting your girls, I'm a bit of a woorier too so I sympathise totally with you...I get worried when 1 of my girls can't go where she wants to in order on the perch at night..lol sad is'nt it? you'll get lots of friendly help and advice on here I coul'nt have managed without some of these guys they are ab fab!!!

[chelsea]

Yes, I would back up the advice about genetian violet (purple spray). You ought to go and get some if you can (this will help you stop worrying too )

 

Any farm supplies store/horsey type store will supply it.

[Abbey Road Girl]

I hope your worries turn out to be unfounded, mummy hen. A month ago, I worried about a lot of things that never happened. Remember that for everyone here who posts with a problem, there may be a hundred or more for whom all has gone well.

 

I do want to repeat what Poet said about gentian violet also being available at your local chemist. Many of us are not able to get to tack shops.

 

The very best of luck to you, to Florence and the rest of your girls.

[*mummy_hen*]

Hi all,

 

Thank you so much for the advice, i was in such a state earlier ( i really can't help it, although probably makes me not the best person for owning this type of animal.hehe)

Sat there watching them like a hawk for about 2 hours and everything was fine, then had to pop out for about 2 hours.....came back and all is still well.

Edwina is still being a bit of a bully, but is currently sleeping so the other girls are doing their own thing.

Definately think i will pop out and get some of that spray though, as even if it is just a precaution in this situation, could come in useful over the next couple of weeks/months.

 

Back to happy happy mummy hen

 

Thanks again for all your replies!

[surferdog]

Good luck Mummy Hen, It's definitely a rollercoaster of emotions having chickens but life will never be dull Just when you hit rock bottom they do something so funny or amazing or downright stupid that you just have to laugh

[*mummy_hen*]

Thanks - they are all tucked up now and all is quiet so hopefully that means all is well! Bless them!

 

You're not wrong there, trust me i love them more than words can say, but they aren't half giving me stress at the moment.....natural worrier, that's my problem!!