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

[jsbates65]

You all have heard the story of my two chooks Rosemary & Clarisse and now the new one Edith.

 

Well, Edith is out with the girls now, and I thought they were just ignoring her (not what I wanted), but thought everything was relatively peaceful. Today I notice that a space on her neck is feather-free. So I'm assuming that what Clarisse & Rosemary are doing to her. They haven't drawn blood or anything.

 

My main concern is that I feel they will never take her in as it's been several weeks that they have lived in the same space. They free range so have lots of places to go. . .

 

I got Edith a seperate place to sleep and lay eggs, and I've noticed them bullying her out of there too!

 

My first question is if you have a "hen pecked" spot on your neck. . .is there something you should put on it?

 

I have tried to pen Edith up. . .but she likes to be out and about too. . .

 

She's so tiny (she's a silkie). . .I still bring her into the house a lot.

 

Any extra advice would be good. She seems pretty tough, but they obviously are getting her some.

 

I just thought. . .they were pretty much ignoring her before and I just noticed this. . .could it be that Edith has started laying and has her own place? Are they jealous of her new pad?

 

LOL

[Baggins]

I don't have an answer but I hope someone comes along with some advice .... don't like to think of poor little Edith (cool name!) all on her lonesome.

 

My two ex-battery hens still enjoy "preening" each other .... I think it's an attempt to clean the layers mash off - presumably that was their "entertainment" in their battery cage, I expect. In fact, one of them has started it on the dog .... and she isn't best pleased Don't suppose Rosemary and Clarisse are doing it for the fun of it (i.e. not malicious), do you?

 

Another thought I've had - often difficult to introduce 1 to 2 already-established girls. Maybe get an ally for Edith?

 

Good luck and keep smiling.

 

P.S. Love the Schweitzer quote.

[Olly]

You could put gentian violet on the bare bit, but if it's not actually bleeding or anything you may just leave it. There's a spray here called Ukadex which apparently is very good at putting them off pecking, I haven't tried it but everyone says it smells vile! I don't know if you can get that where you are?

 

Keep an eye on things to make sure they're not drawing blood but it may just be that she's always going to be bottom chicken. One of mine still gets jumped on if she dares to try to grab any treats, and she looks as if she's being bullied but then the other day she was sharing a dustbath with the top chicken, so things can't be too bad.

[jsbates65]

Well I pulled out the Omlet run and set Edith up in a space where she can be seperate. She really relates to me and the dogs. . .so even though she doesn't have a chicken friend, we keep her company. She loves to come sit on the couch while I'm watching TV. She's so little and cute. . .rarely makes much of a mess.

 

She did nail Rosemary once in the eye. When Edith first was out back, Rosemary had a swollen eye, and I know it was Edith! (Rosemary's eye is fine now, but she has a long memory. . .and will not forgive Edith.)

 

We'll make due, and I will try to keep Edith away from the girls for awhile. . .

[..lay a little egg for me]

Isn't there a thing called a 'neck moult'? I can't remember what causes it, but maybe someone will be along who knows what it is and whether it might apply to Edith!