dazer Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Hello. I have today put a bumper bit on one of our hens. All pm she was hunched and sometimes tucked her head into her wing. She had never done this before. She also never ate or drank anything. It seems she cannot pick up corn with this bit in her mouth. Is it normal that she will struggle initially to eat, but will get used to it and learn how to pick up food? Does it matter if the bit is located at the top of the groove where the nostril is, or lower down the groove? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barkisland Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 The bit ends actually clip into the nostril. There's a photo somewhere. I'll try to find it. She must still be able to eat and drink normally, if not it can't be fitted properly. Edit to add link: viewtopic.php?f=41&t=22584 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzy Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Hi, I found that my hen had her bit fitted and seemed fine after about 20 minutes and has no problems eating, drinking and even bullying still to a certain extent. (Plenty of front!) I'm no expert and hopefully one will come along soon, but have you checked that it is fitted correctly. My one has the bit fitted to the bottom of her nostril. I can't really say if fitting at the top would be wrong, but it doesn't sound right to me that she seems unhappy. Did you get yours from Wernlas? There's a contact number to call if there's a problem.... Sorry to not be more help.... Suzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazer Posted January 26, 2009 Author Share Posted January 26, 2009 Thanks for the replies. Yes the bits are from Wernlas, and the way I have fitted them look exactly the same as in Gallina's photo. Maybe its just this particular hen needs more time to get used to it. I do wonder though how she can pick up tiny bits of corn if the beak cannot close as tightly as before due to the "bit" in her mouth. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 I was worried too about my girl when we'd fitted her bit. She looked really miserable for an hour or 2 and didn't seem to be eating. She soon got the hang of it though and has had no problems since! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 As long as she can pick up her pellets she won't starve. The only girl I have ever had to put one on got the hang of it after an hour or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sugarspice Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 i have had experience with the bumper bit. we have 2 chickens a and a the gingernut was bullying the pepperpot so we tried a bumper bit and this worked great for about 10 days then the gingernut got a strop on. she stopped eating, stopped laying and started to wilt away so we caved in and took it off. within 2 mins she started bullying again and by the end of the day she was eating fine. but the bullying continued so we have refitted another bit, this time we have attached it to the lower nostril and she can eat much better than before. she has now had the bit on for about 10 days but she has only laid 1 egg in that time. it has really become a battle of wills, but we will be leaving it on for a month so she can learn her lesson this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barkisland Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 We fitted Gilda's bumpa bit during the night so she wouldn't be too distressed by it, taking her out of the cube after dark to fit it. She shook her head a couple of times but then immediately seemed to forget about it. We popped her back into the cube to sleep and next day she seemed none the wiser. She has been able to eat & drink as normal with it on. It sorted out the bullying straight away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sugarspice Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 i have had experience with the bumper bit. we have 2 chickens a and a the gingernut was bullying the pepperpot so we tried a bumper bit and this worked great for about 10 days then the gingernut got a strop on. she stopped eating, stopped laying and started to wilt away so we caved in and took it off. within 2 mins she started bullying again and by the end of the day she was eating fine. but the bullying continued so we have refitted another bit, this time we have attached it to the lower nostril and she can eat much better than before. she has now had the bit on for about 10 days but she has only laid 1 egg in that time. it has really become a battle of wills, but we will be leaving it on for a month so she can learn her lesson this time. update on this post. the gingernut has laid 2 eggs in the last 2 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
