pistachio Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I was on here recently about my chicken who I found in the morning - close to death after being pecked by others. I managed to get runs and separate her and treat her with antibiotic cream and things were going well. Then the top hen started on another and I separated her too. it was not minor pecking - it was repeated hard pecking and chasing and pecking and chasing. This seemed to work and the runs were close enough for them to stay in touch. Recently at night they have all been together in the eglu cube coop at night. Today another of my remaining four was found bleeding badly (not as bad as other) and they were obviously going to continue. I've tried sprays and I have heard that bumpers are good for stopping feather plucking but do not prevent the sharp jabs that result in the blood. Tonight the bleeding hen is in the shed and all the others are in the coop. I don't know what to do in the morning. I'm sick of the whole situation. I love my chickens but this is not what i want for them or for me. Should i rehome some? Why are mine like this? I could undertsand it happening once but I'm totally disheartened and losing the will to find solutions. Obviously I'm not going to let any harm come to them and I'm not going to leave them to it - but I just can't face much more of this Really upset - got loads of human stuff going on at the moment as well as this chicken stuff. What would you guys do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I'm no help I'm afraid, as I've not experienced this particular problem (although I have used stockholm tar spray with success on mildly pecked chicken) but I'm sure somebody will be along soon to help you. I just wanted to say, try to keep calm and your spirits up. There is always a solution and lots of people will try to find it with you, a problem shared and all that. In the meantime, imbibe said spirits if that will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistachio Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 thanks Daphne. It's not going too well here. I had a great few weeks with them from Sept through to half term and I go out every day and free range with them but I have to admit that it's getting to me pretty bad now. I'm trying to keep my spirits up - I'm usually pretty good at that but now I'm worried what i'll find when I get home. Such a shame - they are lovelies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 The bumper bit does prevent stabbing: that is what the bumper part is for (the bit part prevents biting). If it is just one hen causing all the trouble, I would fit a bumper bit. If that doesn't work, and all the rest of the hens are happy, then I would donate the trouble-maker to a farm. I did this, and never had any regrets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I'm not very experienced I'm afraid....... but have you thought about turning it around and separating the hen that is doing the bullying and leaving the others together??? Sort of put her solitary??? I am sure you've already tried it, but just a thought, also I think they advise the Ukadex spray, have you tried that? It's foul and will put anything off!!! Best of luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hi Pistachio, I'm so sorry you're still having problems - it's horrible feeling so helpless... My pecky hen, Hilda, is still being kept in her own fenced off area during the day because I don't trust her if I'm not around to intervene. I'm getting up before daylight to remove her from the cube and bringing her inside every evening at dusk. I then put her back in with the others & hope for the best! I decided that I would go ahead and order the bumper bits - I've read so many posts where people with similar problems have great success with them. Having said this, I sent off for them 2 weeks ago & they still haven't arrived! I've rung the people at Wernlas on a couple of occasions to chase them up... seems they've got lost in the post. They've promised to put some more in the post to me a.s.a.p. I think she felt sorry for me... must've been able to sense the desperation in my voice! I'm just mentioning this because I would suggest that if you do decide to order them, to do it fairly soon & then you're not left waiting for too long. Try not to get too down about it, I know exactly how you feel, especially when there are other things going on in your life on top of all the hen hassles! Hopefully things will pick up for both of us soon! I'm setting a lot of store by these bumpa bits!! I'll let you know how I get on with fitting them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I'm really sorry to hear you are still having problems, I hope it settles down soon and doesn't put you off chicken keeping. I would seriously think about getting rid of the bully if she keeps on. Some people have done this and find that their chooks are a really happy flock afterwards. Good luck Pistachio X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 definately put the nasty one on her own if it is only one, a dog crate is a good solution, can be keft next to the others. i have read that it needs to be for some considerable time. They can be vile can't they. I have bumper bits but not put them on yet, I may try ucadex 1st.. good luck & chin up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scramble Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Can't offer any advice I just wanted to say that I hope your chicken situation improves which I'm sure it will due to all the lovely help from people here ggod luck, chickens really are very caring creatures...It'll work out soon Don't be too sad. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Out of interest how big is your run? We felt a 3m run was a minimum for 5 omlet chooks. We've (eventually) gone to a 4 meter run for 8 chooks. We have also had problems - though was when we added another three. Ukadex spray fixed it - plus layers mash for them to eat from a large dog bowl as a distraction. Poor Enid got her feathers plucked ... luckily they are growing back already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 So sorry to hear you're having such a rotten time . I hope you find a solution soon. (I got a puppy crate from Ebay for a broody hen - that would presumably work for a bully too.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little jerry Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Really sorry your having a bad time. Cant give any advice from personal experiance as have only had 2 chickens for a couple of months, but a friend at work who has about 25, always says that they all have different characters, just like people. I would probablly try to identify the bully and remove for a bit. Hope it works out. Dont loose heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 What an awful story. Hens can be/are horrible to each other. Pecking order has not entered the lexicon for nothing.Here I must disagree with Scramble. Look, we all love our chooks but if one is doing the most pecking do you love her more than the others she is pecking? What I am trying to say is that it is so easy to transpose a pet situation into what is actually a"wild" farmyard scene. It's time you cut your losses. Top chook needs to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Rehoming may be the only solution, but I'd try a bumper bit first. It does stop the stabbing, and that may be enough to calm the situation. They only cost pence from Wernlas, it's got to be worth a try. Please don't be disheartened, lots of us have had problems and it is so disappointing, but stick with it and happy hen harmony may be restored. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickeh Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hello I am in a very similar situation today my fave henry had blood all over her back tail area and was being pecked to bits! so fortunately I have builders at my house for the next 2 month's, anyway they caught henry and i poured stock home tar which i had previously poured into an empty washing up liquid bottle for easy dispensing for future emergencys, the thick tar consistency was all over her back end when i finished and it looked a right mess but it did stop the other 3 chasing her once they got a beak full of tar i shall be up at the crack of dawn tomorow to investigate further. I shall keep you posted hope yours gets sorted. i understand how you feel it always seems to be one thing after another and you worry when you have to leave them unsupervised. Have they been moulting? was the blood drawn from a new feather growth that was plucked? this is apparently common good luck vic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 You're run is a decent size, and there are things in it to keep them occupied...? So then I agree woth DA, top choockie has to go. I'm sure some of them are just aggressive, and nothing will really change that. Somewhere else she might be fine, e.g. in a big flock wioth a cockeral to keep order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggypeggy Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 I agree.. I think some chooks need a cockeral.. do you think you could wait to try bumper bits.. or have you had enough.. phone around and see if there is anybody who could take a her. You don't need to make life difficult for yourself, pass her on to another responsible person/farm, give yourself and the other chooks a break. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hennymom Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 please be careful with bumper bits... we thought after advice we were doing the right thing putting one on the aggressor only, when we placed her back in with the rest they all attacked the one with the bit on...all her face was pecked and bleeding...we lifted her straight back out and removed it....it has'nt stopped her chasing etc, but I could not stand to see them all attacking the aggressor even tho ahe probably got a taste of her own medicine....so, please be careful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfred Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Oh dear it sounds bad. I think you have been persevering for long enough and will be justified in getting rid of the evil one. Otherwise you could separate off the baddie but you might not want to keep doing this forever. My chickens (you replied to my earlier post about 'bad hen' a couple of weeks ago) have settled down a lot but the bully is still bullying the others. no blood is spilt and they all get food but I still think it's less than ideal. So even if you eventually get some improvement they may still not all be friends together. So that's why I think you may be better off cutting your losses and rehoming one hen. Don't feel bad it's not your fault. Best of luck with them!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 We considered 'Sunday Lunching' our naughty hen. Though we'd have split her up from the rest of the flock for a week or two before hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistachio Posted November 12, 2008 Author Share Posted November 12, 2008 Thanks everyone. I feel a little bit better today. My husband is home for a day and helped me move the runs around the garden and give me morale support. I've ordered beak bits to try. I have Ukadex. The problem with removing the aggressor is that there are 2 of them and 1 that will jump on the bandwagon. At the moment they seem to be at least ok for while with 2 injured ones separate but nearby during day, roaming all together and bloody one alone at night but healed bald one in with others at night. Thanks for the warning about the bits and i will keep an eye on that the aggressors don't get attacked back. I have a cube and an extension so i don't think size is a problem. They have toys and veg and perches but it was rather muddy due to rain so I'm getting a cover and we've moved the run to a fresh spot under a tree for a bit more shelter. No - they're not moulting - but thanks for the tip. I'll be aware of that in future. Has anyone tried the chicken aprons that are like coats and claim to stop the biting? Thanks again everyone - it's really helpful to hear from you and perhaps most of all - it's just encouraging when you're on your own and desperate - to hear from kind people who understand. many many thanks! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 No experience of "sadles" but the lady at Regency Poultrt I think it was seemed to think it might help mine as my bullied one has a bare bum.(just the thing to aim at!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 I thought the saddles were to protect hens from over-enthusiastic cockerels? Since most pecking seems to be on the bum or on the head, I'm not sure they'd help. Don't rule out fitting bumper bits on all the chooks, I'm sure someone on here did that (Gallina, possibly?) to avoid the problem that's been described. If it means peace reigns, then it's worth the extra hassle. I do hope things continue to improve, and you can enjoy your chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Yes & I've just ordeted Ukadex, Will I spray or try to fit the bumper bits again? Let you all know, the lady at Merrydale said ithe saddles cover the bum? So thought it might help, my only knowledge of them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 stand back when you spray them, I can still smell it now and I did mine on saturday!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
