pencilbeckett Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 Hi All I picked up my two new ex batts yesterday. One is quite large and well feathered the other is quite oven ready and small. The large one is pecking the small one and has drawn blood in various places on its comb i feel so sorry for her. Also i have put layers pelletts down and they are not eating them, will they eventually take to this or must i buy some mash. Another thing i have noticed is my little lady has frothy poo/urine is this normal? any hel appreciated. Thanks Jenni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 Hi Jenni, Firstly dont worry too much about the big one pecking the little one as they are establishing the pecking order. How much blood has the little one got on her comb? As for the frothy pooh - again dont worry this should settle in a day or two. As they have just come from the battery farm and been rehomed with you they will take a while to settle down and will start to eat the pellets too. Do keep us up to date on how they settle in and post again if your worries continue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 The will not know what the layers pellets are for Jenni, as they will have been on layers mash in the battery system. Why not put some pellets in your food processor and blast them to smithereens, they might eat them then. It might be a good idea if you were to get some layers mash tomorrow and keep them on that for a while. Too many changes will unsettle them further. Gentian violet spray is good for treating wounds, as it disguises them and is mildly antiseptic too. Good luck and try not to worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 Hi Jenni, definately grind up some pellets into mash as they are starved for 24 hours before they are taken out of the battery cages. Mine did a few funny poo's when I first got them and then again when they were first free ranging. If there's a lot of blood on the comb it might be an idea to try and wash it off. Also, is the little one able to get away from the big one? It would also be a good idea to have two lots of feed and water so she gets chance to eat and drink easily. I'm sure they'll be fine in a couple of days though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesleyH Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 You can make a porridge by adding boiling water to the pellets - then let it cool. maybe give them some sweetcorn? As for bullying - I was advised when I asked how long the bullying could last - worse case scenario - and I was advised 8 days max - and thats exactly how long mine went on for - to the day! One minute it was hell - jumping on Charlotte's back and pecking her - she had to hide under the glug to protect her head - the very next day - day nine - they were all best mates living happily ever after - little sods. Watch out for too much blood though. You could resort to fitting bumper bits if it does not stop - but normally its just a case of 'hang on in there'. Well done for taking them on - the hardest thing is to just let them get on with it - but thats the best advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pencilbeckett Posted June 8, 2008 Author Share Posted June 8, 2008 Hi Thanks for the replys I have separated them just for tonight until i can get some antiseptic spray from the farm shop. I know i have got to eventually let it run its course it is just so hard because they have been through so much to get here i want to wrap them up in cotton wool. There were some poorly ones at the farm when i went to get mine i was in tears they had got trampled by the others during the rescue. Jenni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 All best, Jenni to you and your hens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 Hi. If you can't get mash for them, then add warm water to the pellets you've already got. When mine were poorly I added a pint of luke warm water to the pellets. You can then make it any consistency by adding more/less water. If I add less it goes soft and grainy texture. Or loads of water to make it sloppy. Either way my girls love it. The warm water works better than cold when mixing it up. You will be amazed just how much water the pellets will absorb. The foamy poos should settle down once they get used to the shock of being transported to a new home, plus the added changes of change of diet as well as new experiences......like......grass..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesleyH Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 you are a very kind person and have done an amazing thing. All the best to you - let us know how things are going x x x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
