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

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Hi All,

 

I've no doubt that this has been covered many a-time, but I need to ask it again....

 

My 3 new feathered babies are, I assume, sorting themselves out with their pecking order, but it's heartbreaking to watch poor little Snowdrop trying desperately to escape from the run, or wedging herself between the run and a pot which I had put in there as a "free-range takeaway" earlier today ( a pot of mint which was teeming with woodlice & slugs! They loved it! ). Every time I opened a door today, she has run at it with varying degrees of success in her escape plan. Most times I've caught her & she's settled instantly in my arms, only pecking at my engagement ring - expensive tastes these chooks!! Is this counterproductive? Am I leaving her open for further bullying by the others - although they'd get as many cuddles as her if they'd only be caught!

 

How long is this likely to go on? The children came in saying that Bluebell had been having a go at her too, although it seems to be Buttercup she's terrified of. Have just put a couple of handfuls of mixed corn on dishes into the run so it's well spread out & they have plenty to snaffle, without being on each others wingtips, and they are still sqwauking, with Snowdrop running to the far corner of the run with her head held down low, rather than an upright run, if that makes sense? Also, I think that one of them has caught her comb with their beak, as there's a small blob of what looks like dried blood on her comb. Should I be worried? I think some of it is for show ( I hope! ) as when I watch them from the door, they can be quiet & doing chook stuff quite happily, however they do tend to "play up" like kids whenever we are outside. Will everything settle once they are let out to freerange? We are going to order an extension for the run to give them a bit more room whilst they are confined to barracks.

 

Am I paranoid? Sorry it's such a waffly long message, but I've tried to put as many behaviours in as I can to give a clearer picture. I know one of you lovely people will set my mind at rest soon....!!

 

Sha x

[Tigerlily]

Oh Wildmum - I really sympathise and send you a big cyberhug (((hug))).

It's been happening to us too - it seemed to settle down a lot and then last week all started again

My poor Betty is being bullied by the other 2 - she is bottom of the pecking order for sure. The difference is that she doesn't seem unhappy or bothered by it that much, but they are pecking a few feathers from her sometimes

 

I'm just hoping that once they all start laying it will settle down. I worry I'm being over sensitive about it and should let them get on with it, but i can't bear the thought of her being picked on...

I have tried all sorts - anti pek spray (Johnsons), tea tree oil spray (tea tree/water in an atomiser bottle), water pistol . They haven't solved the problem, but try them out as they have worked for others. I would also get some gentian violet spray (aka purple spray- it's available from equine supply shops or the Wildfowl Trust) as it's antiseptic and will mask any wounds if they draw blood (they will just peck and peck if they draw blood) just in case.

 

You could also order bumper bits (a bit like a muzzle for chickens ) from The Wernlas collection (there are links on the forum if you do a search on bumper bits). They are 10p per B Bit - just send stamps to the value of how many you need plus an SAE and they post them to you

 

I hope some of this helps. Good luck and I hope it will settle down for you soon - I think it can take a few weeks for the order to be established, so you may have to ride it out (which won't help poor Snowdrop, will it?)

 

Take care and BW x

[Helen&Lee]

It all sounds pretty normal 'settling in' behaviour.

 

I'd say it was about a week with our first lot - Talullah was our submissive one running away from all the others, now she's more than likely to give the others what for and was particulary nasty to our broodys recently - I think she saw her chance to move up in the pecking order.

 

Unfortunately you really do need to sit tight and let them get on with it, it does get better.

 

If you spot alot of blood then you would need to take her out and clean her up as it would attract the others to peck her more.

 

Helen

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Thanks Tiger Lily & Helen,

 

Would it be a good idea to put more things in the run to distract them, limited as the space is until I receive the converter I have just ordered? They've got a head of spring greens hanging in there as well as the usual feeders and water dispensers. I've taken out the freerange takeaway, as Snowdrop was being chased behind it & pecked from behind as she was wedged between the pot and the run.

 

Susie at Golden Valley Poultry ( lovely lady, so thought I'd give her a plug!) was going to put a cd up in her pens to entertain the chooks awaiting new mums, Hubby is just searching for a "dead" cd/dvd to put in the run now.

 

They were all quite content in the Eglu when I went to let them out at 630 this morning, in fact they were all still asleep, I was up first - extremely unusual! I hope things will all settle for the night, they have pulled quite a few of her feathers out during the day, but no bald patches yet, thankfully. I hope it stays this way! Have ordered some anti-pek spray with the converter & have tea tree awaiting should antiseptic be necessary. Will try & get some purple spray tomorrow too.

 

Dogs & children I have most of the answers, chooks are a whole new ball game! I hope it does get easier!

 

Sha x