How Quickly Does Albendazole Work?

[Suzy]

Help - I really need some help - I've no idea what to do next - or if there's anything I can do. I don't want to give up....

 

We have 3 hens. Head hen is no trouble, middle hen Lottie is determined to make sure Ophelia knows she is bottom of the pecking order. Regan and ophelia get on fine.

 

They've had a fab day free-ranging. We have two food stations to try and minimise bullying and over the last 3 nights as it's been so mild, we've left their Eglu door open, thinking the racket and pecking that happens first thing in the morning may be hunger driven.

 

Tonight, they were difficult to settle down, and Ophelia decided she wanted to sleep in the nest box (usually Lottie bullys her out of it) and seemed to stick to her guns by the noise coming out of the Eglu.

 

An hour later, I went out and it was all quiet - and I've found Lottie in the nest box, Regan roosting (she's so good!) and Ophelia, sat outside on the woodchip in the run.

 

When I shone the torch in, she moved and later on I checked again and she seems uninjured.

 

Should I shut the Eglu door so that she doesn't risk getting cold, and risk Lottie giving her a right duffing up or should I leave the door open and put something safe in the run for her to sleep in safely or will that encourage her.

 

We've tried all sorts - Ukadex - which Lottie seems to be immune to, anti pek spray, segregation - I am now out of ideas.

 

Do I need to start thinking drastically about a new home for one of them? I don't want to but equally I don't like seeing poor Ophelia being bullied and one day I am convinced I am going to find her half dead at the hands (beak) of Lottie.

 

ANY advice gratefully received. Thanks, Suzy

[Egluntyne]

Have you tried a **bumpa bit** on the Miss Bossyboots?

[Suzy]

Hi Egluntine, I haven't simply because we are not yet at a stage where we can catch her. My hubbie can now get hold of Regan and hold her, but Lottie has about half a stroke before legging it.

 

I think I'll order one and we'll have to get her late at night and leap on her in the nesting box.

 

Thanks, Suzy

[Egluntyne]

Good idea re putting it on at night time.

 

It might all settle of its own accord.

 

Ex-batts are often a bit aggressive for a while, until they realise that they don't have to fight for every s"Ooops, word censored!" of food. She may well calm down.

[Groovychook]

Just to agree with Egluntine really...

 

I had a pecky hen who persisted in drawing blood from one of the others.

I followed the advise on the forum and the problem was solved immediately! Bumper Bits work miracles!!!

[abwsco]

I'd try putting down another couple of food bowls and spreading them out as much as you can. Also, when we had pecking I sprayed all of them with an anti pecking spray. I use the term sprayed loosely as I couldn't pick any of them up when I did it, so just sprayed in their general direction. It seemed to work.

[chickenanne]

Can you try removing pecky hen to a separate run for a while? If she returns to the coop as New Hen then she will've lost her place in teh pecking order.

[sandyhas3chucks]

my ex bats wouldn't eat cabage so tying it up didn't work, but they have now decided it is yummy & this really helps as at least 2 are occupied trying to get it, haging it(I use a bird fat feeder is good as it swings. I meant back to feeding mash as it keeps them occupied, Also I hope I haven't already posted this, but in the end a walk in run so there is up and out of way also. Then the best thing was a bale of straw for the bullied girls to be out of sight out of mind & to be able to move around out of the way. I have got 3 feeding stations 2 hanging AND an old drawer with mash& treats etc in that they always spend ages scratching around in.

It gas taken 6months and a new friend for the bullied girl, and stil sleeping in dif quarters but there are all sorts of other reasons for that.as well as the bullying!

[Suzy]

Well, we might have found what is causing it. We have discovered an eglu full of redmites - and when I got some powder I read it can cause distress and cannibalism - so that might be why they've been so aggressive.

 

Having said that, they have now been well and truly dusted, and although Lottie chases Ophelia still, touch wood we've had nothing as sever as the other day.

 

The funniest thing was that I only discovered the red mite about 4pm on Sunday so amazingly, found a shop that sold it and got cleaning witht he jet wash. The others waited until their eglu was clean and sparkly, Ophelia bless her went and settled down to nest behind a tree next to the fence. She thought it was safe. She screeched so much when I sent my hubbie to pick her up, but she got a good dusting as a result of being captured and had a grape as a well done.

 

The bumper bit is still on order and eagerly awaited, but maybe that's cracked the problem. Sincerely hope so.

 

Thanks for all the advice!

 

Suzy

[Snowy]

Glad you found the problem Suzy, hope everything settles down now!

[Egluntyne]

Fingers crossed. How annoying that there should be a redmite infestation though.

 

At least it will be easily shifted in an Eglu.

[Suzy]

Spoke too soon. Sadly we put them back in their pen today at lunchtime as we were going out for Christmas lunch and they both set on her, depsite more foodbowls than hens, they drew blood.

 

We let them out immediately and are hoping that the foxwatch they got for Christmas keeps them safe in their eglu withthe run open until we get home. It seemed to be the less risk otherwise we'd ave come home to a dead hen - guaranteed and so far, we haven't seen any foxes.

 

As we left, the other two were strutting round as normal and Ophelia was sitting in the corner looking very shaken. Poor little Ophelia - it was awful.

 

 

So, the problem appears not to have gone away. Am now thinking I have two options - give someone away - or buy another Eglu and another hen. Maybe a baby so it won't beat up Ophelia.

[blackgold]

sorry to be an ignoramus but what is a bumper bit?

[Egluntyne]

sorry to be an ignoramus but what is a bumper bit?

 

A bit of info about Bumpa Bits aka Bumper Bits **here**.

 

Sorry you are having such a rough time Suzy.

 

Ex-batts often can be aggressive for a few weeks as they haven't had the chance to display normal behaviour before, and have had to fight for food in the cage.

 

Often hens can turn on another hen who isn't well. We don't always pick up on the fact that the hen is ill as they are very good at disguising it. Have you checked Ophelia over? Maybe the red mite infestation has weakened her more than the others. Chances are that the infestation came with the hens, anyway.

 

I'd be inclined to treat them all with Xeno 200 *Not licensed for use on poultry in the UK as it will do a more thorough job than the powder, which is really more of a preventative than a cure. There is an egg withdrawal period with this treatment.

 

I'd also give them a tonic such as **Lifeguard** to help them over the effects of the infestation.

 

Last but not least, I'd put the bumpa bits on the two aggressors. That way they may learn to live harmoniously together.

 

You could also try the "divide and conquer" method, if you didn't fancy the Bumpa Bits, whereby you remove the most aggressive hen, and if the other two seem to get on OK, keep her in separate accommodation for a week or so, ( in sight and sound of the others) and then hopefully she will learn some manners and be bottom of the pile when reintroduced.

 

Best of luck.

[sandyhas3chucks]

Hope it went ok yesterday.

I agree with E.

for me divide & rule has worked but only in conjunction with a bigger walk in run, my personal opinion on my personally small & short experience of 3 exbats it that the Eglu & run just isn't big enough for 3 if they don't get on. I am thinking that it is fine for 2 youngsters from Omlet that grow up together & whilst I understand the policy of 3 ex bats not 2 I like you ended up with 2 & 1 so still had a lonely one who was harrassed to unbelievable miserablness for her! 7 months on and with at least a friend she is still the least featherd with a big bare bum, (my ignorance of what was occuring did not help,) all the time there is a nice weak spot to go fore they will, so I made a disicion a while back to not try & get them all to sleep in the Eglu intil; she is fully feathered.

they have for months now slept apart & free ranged amicably together & can now be in the large walk in run for extended periods with out a blood bath.

I decided that for ME personally it was too stressfull & to enjoy them while I can, it seems such a short lifespan for many. I realise many are not able to do this. Life is good for my bullied girl now, she has her friend, she still has the original 2 & often it is 3 & newbie the outcast whilst sunbathing, dust bathing and preening(these were always ok times together)

Much of my bullying now is really just a fierce pecking order.(I think)

So don't dospair you can sort it somehow. Like ypou I considered rehoming little one but she is "our darling",

[Suzy]

Fortunately the foxwatch did it's job and all three girls were in the Eglu and asleep when we got home and had not been taken out by foxes. Good news Ophelia was in there too.

 

She is definitely the roughest looking and I had been thinking if she was ill and the others knew and were trying to take her out. We cannot get close enough to check her over properly but she definitely looks the least well, but can hold her own when the grapes are being dished out and she is still eating her porridge and has stopped losing feathers. I did think she looked the scrawniest due to a moult as she had two softees as she seems well in herself, it;s just cosmetic, although she was a bit subdued after her beating yesterday.

 

I'm hoping the 2 x bumpabits I've ordered will turn up tomorrow - Christmas post!

 

Thanks for the advice on the tonics etc. Will give them a go I think.

 

We're struggling on the separation method until we get somewhere else for the abuser to live - so we're looking at another Eglu now. Until then, free ranging seems to be doing the trick and sleeping in the Eglu is OK as they go to bed to sleep and not to fight.

 

It's tough - but I'm not going to give up on her. Thanks for all the support and advice - it is really helpful.

[Egluntyne]

I have a spare Eglu if you are anywhere near Sheffield.

[sandyhas3chucks]

dog crates approx £24 in argos for small ones are usefull for day time separation yet togetherness. youi can have crate next to Eglu, cover can be on however many sides as you want. cat basket (plastic ones ) are good for overnight i bathroom loo kitchen or where ever overnight. shed maybe? i have an rablu run you could borrow for extension if you are south anywhere near Guildford. and cat basket too. actually and a crate got old heavy one from freecycle, for just this sort of thing.

[Suzy]

Thanks ladies, I really do appreciate your help.

 

I was thinking of a trip up to Sheffield, thank you for the very kind offer Egluntine, but as I am in Surrey the Rablu would be perfect if that is OK I would love to borrow it.

 

If we segregate Lottie, she sleeps in a nest box so will be easy to create a larger nestbox out of the Rablu so no perching bars are needed as far as she is concerned.

 

Shall PM you and we can organise details Sandy.

 

Thanks, Suzy

[sandyhas3chucks]

suzy , not heard from you & your pm not picked up. I do hope all is ok. Sandy

[blackgold]

I have 3 ex batts and a Faverolle in my eglu. Before i introduced the faverolle one of the exbatts Daisy would peck and pull feathers out of the other 2.. On one occasion she actually drew blood ... She stopped as soon as Bam Bam the adult favorolle arrived. I think she tried to peck her and Bam Bam put her straight..... They all live amically now and i have put away all the extra feeding stations as they will now share. Daisy will threaten the other 2 exbatts with a menancing stare if they push in front of her but not actually peck. Perhaps adding a large new hen might work.... Abreed that is naturally peaceful would be best.

[Suzy]

Hi, 3 x bumpabits arrived this morning so miss Lottie will be bitted up this avo hopefully.

 

She's currently in the run and the other two are free ranging. I don't know how sin bins work in chicken psychology but at least Ophelia is having a bit of a rest from being chased around the garden!

 

Sandy - sorry - have PM'd you - have been driving round the country doing the relative thing and have not been near a computer!

[Suzy]

Just a quick update for anyone curious to know how the ukadex loving bully Lottie is and how her poor little Eglumate Ophelia is.....

 

Well, Lottie now is accessorised by a bumper bit and she was so brave having it put on. She managed to take it off 3 times and it took 4 attempts to get it on properly.

 

A day later and so far so good. Poor Ophelia is still running away but all was well in the Eglu when it was opened up this morning so whilst I don't think we're there yet, we may have got miss bully under control at long last. I appreciate that's famous last words potentially but it was so nice to see a tranquil garden today with no terrified hen legging it away from our troublesome young exbat.

 

I just wanted to say thank you to Egluntine and Sandyhas3chucks - you've both been very very supportive and kind and it is so much appreciated. I hope that we may have cracked it but I really really appreciated your help and offers of runs, eglus etc.)

 

Suzy

(with fingers firmly crossed to avoid tempting fate!)

[Egluntyne]

That is good news. Well done.

[sandyhas3chucks]

fingers crossed too.