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

[Laura & CTB]

I cant believe what's just happened

 

I decided to put a bumper bit on Prada as she's starting to pull Gucci's neck feathers out and I've had enough of the smell of Ukadex wafting around the garden.

 

Ten seconds after it was fitted I looked round to see Gucci launching an all out attack on Prada - she had her pinned to the floor and punctured her comb then after letting her go for a few seconds she went back for round two!

 

I took the bit back off Prada and they are now all sweetness and light again, like nothing happened.

 

I've no idea why this happened - could Gucci have thought the bumper bit was food? I've not had this problem before and now daren't try it again - guess it's back to the Ukadex.

 

I'm hoping Prada will think twice though before trying to pull out any more feathers.

 

I'm still quite shocked

[Cooks]

oh my, I have no idea why she would do that...

[chelsea]

how odd for an established pair of hens to fight like that.

 

Its not like they are new to each other, how strange. Maybe she did think it was food?

[Cooks]

what colour are the bumper bits?? anything remotely resembling a food item she likes??

[Katie]

Maybe it looked like a bug or something and Gucci thought her duty to attack?

[Laura & CTB]

what colour are the bumper bits?? anything remotely resembling a food item she likes??

 

Normal black bumper bits and no it doesnt look like a bunch of grapes

 

The weird thing is that Prada always wore a bit up until the end of February so it's not like Gucci had never seen one before.

[Cooks]

oh they are black, I did wonder if they were coloured ie, orange - carrots, green - grapes etc etc..

 

black?? slugs I guess..

[Egluntyne]

Goodness!

 

Maybe if she continues with the feather pulling, they should both have one.

[Guest]

how odd for an established pair of hens to fight like that.

 

Its not like they are new to each other, how strange...

 

it's odd isn't it???? I hope it doesn't go on much longer Laura

 

xxxx

[Abbey Road Girl]

How traumatic, Laura.

 

I keep recommending spraying hens with diluted tea tree oil (on the victim) to discourage attacks.

 

Hope it is over asap!

[xScrunchee]

Mmm, funny you should mention this as I have just had the very same problem!!

 

Brandee was feather pulling and fitted with a bumper bit a while back.

When she became unwell I took the bumper bit off of her.

She got well again and didn't feather pull for a couple of weeks, then she started again and drew blood on Jasmines leg so I put a new bumper bit on her.

Rose then decided to start attacking her

She was literally jumping on top of her on some occassions!!

She was trying to stop her eating and basically being a complete bully yet I have no idea why

After about a week it has all settled down again, thankfully, but I have no idea what went wrong. Never seen anything like that before just because of a bumper bit

[Egluntyne]

I wonder if they sense that the tables have turned in the power stakes and wreak their revenge?

[xScrunchee]

I wonder if they sense that the tables have turned in the power stakes and wreak their revenge?

 

That is what my daughter (8 years old) thinks happened.

She said that poor Rose has had enough of everyone plucking her and once she saw Brandee with a bumper bit on, she knew she was safe to seek her revenge!!

[Laura & CTB]

Who knows what goes on in the mind of a chicken

 

In the cold light of morning I'm thinking maybe I should have left the bit on and tried distracting them with some food. I was just so totally shocked to see this vicious attack that I just wanted it over. After removing the bumper bit they went back to normal.

 

They're both best pals again this morning although Prada's comb still shows the battle scars

 

Glad things settled down for you Jay - I'm not sure what to do now

[xScrunchee]

I'd put it back on her Laura or else poor Gucci is going to be plucked again!!

Maybe just keep an eye on them and try the food distraction if it gets nasty again

 

My two did settle down but it was awful to see

After all the trouble I had before with Bobbie and Ria I was really hoping that our bumper bit days would be over but Brandee had other ideas! Naughty chickens

 

 

 

 

 

(Edited as I put Prada instead of Gucci Sorry)

Edited June 16, 2008 by Guest

[Gallina]

My hen who was plucked almost bare on one side became a serious plucker herself when the offender was dealt with. Use as many bumper bits as you need for a quiet life: keeping hens is not meant to be stressful.

 

I have eight with no bumper bits at the moment, which is the first time for two years: but I am watching carefully, and as soon as a feather gets plucked a bit will be fitted.

[Laura & CTB]

Use as many bumper bits as you need for a quiet life: keeping hens is not meant to be stressful.

 

 

Good advice thanks Gallina. I shall wait and see what happens next!