hennymom Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 please can anyone explain what is happening to my chickens... the biggest one of the group has drawn blood on the smallest one we tended it and she is still a little frightened of the big one ..but now the bigger one is blocking the other one in a corner of the run and turning her back against the small one who is too timid to move away..she turns her bottom to the hen stuck in the corner...does anyone know why or any ideas how we can stop it...muchly thanks for any replies we are very worried about this please answer as soon as possible please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Im not too sure why your bigger chook is showing the little one her bum Maybe she is in total disgust of her! However a water pistol may help - give the big girl a squish is you see any signs of bullying - it may deter her. If the pecking continues then bumper bits or anti-peck rings may be needed. Do keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trapper Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Try Ukadex spray it stopped bullyinh with mine and others on here. If you say she has drawn blood then I would get some quickly to stop the feather pecking or you could end up with more problems. Can you keep them seperate untill you buy some, this may give the smaller bird a bit of time to overcome her bullying. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 The only advice I can offer is what worked for me which is spraying the picked-on hen with diluted tea tree oil. It tastes terrible (at least to me) and seemed to have done the trick. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 If you have a very intelligent strong hen and a cowardly weak one in a flock, this can happen, and I know that it is very distressing. And if they are confined to a run most of the time, it is very unpleasant for the hen that is suffering, as there is nowhere that she can go. I would get hold of a few bumper bits now: they are only 10p each. I had some delivered with my first set of new hens two years ago. Surprisingly, I didn't need to use them then, but it was a huge comfort just knowing that I had them to hand. (And I did need them much later.) A bumper bit is an instant solution, and I think everyone who has had a real problem would recommend one. This is for a case like this when it is really unpleasant and constant pecking, rather than the normal peck on the back that says, "Remember I am boss." If the victim isn't being allowed to get at the food, you will have to put another food container in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trapper Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 If it's bumper bits you are after, put on another thread asking for some as I know some people here order too many and have said that they would sell them on this forum for 10p or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hennymom Posted June 14, 2008 Author Share Posted June 14, 2008 thanks guys all your advice has been heeded ...I appreciate everyones help! I'll post on the wanted bit too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 If I were you I'd examine the smaller one, in case she is being picked on because she is not well. They are very clever at hiding it, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 Sorry to hear you're having bullying problems, Hennymom . Hope you get them sorted out soon . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hennymom Posted June 15, 2008 Author Share Posted June 15, 2008 thanks guys...we have done all you have suggested and peace has ensued in our flock once again.... none of them fight normally but the run has been extended and I think the pecking order was under re construction...a couple of them had a good soaking with a hose pipe and it did not stop them so we put the bully into solitary for the afternoon...she sulked like a spoiled brat but it seems to have done the trick!! we'll get a couple of bumper bits tho just in case it starts again...the smaler one seems fine now. We checked her for any illness/ailmentsbut she is laying like a little trouper same size every day... she seems a lot happier now, once again thanks very muchly to all advice , it's a worrying thing watching one of your little chooks beng bullied!!! ps you're a fab bunch on here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
