Single hen

[chooklady]

OH and I went to Thorne's yesterday, big mistake.

 

I always intended getting 2 more girlies in the spring.

 

We bought a Columbine and a White Star.

 

I will post some piccies, I'm just going out to take some in a minute.

 

The names are Snowdrop and Ruby.

 

The Columbine's ear lobes are bluish, which will be nice as our Corton Blue lays green eggs.

She also is close to laying, her comb and wattles are well developed.

 

The hens are all sleeping in the cube together and I am keeping them separated during the day. They are in a large dog crate within the run or in the run if the girls are out in the garden. The Columbine looks like she may have been pecked a little on her comb, any suggestions how I can stop this greatly appreciated.

 

Many thanks Nicola

 

 

 

 

Edited February 22, 2009 by Guest

[cordelia]

drat...I cant wait for the photo's LOL...I've even checked the time LOL...

 

pleased you have some new girls...its very exciting and Im very envious....

 

columbines are blue/green egg layers too arent they ??? exciting...

 

and white stars lovely white eggs??

 

they are lovely names too....

[Chickvic]

Can't wait to see the pics! Congratulations on your new girls.

[Cooks]

I am no expert at all but I wouldn't allow her back in with the other girls (even at night) with any sign of blood on her as I have read on here that chickens can see that and attack her even worse. I would clean her wound until no visible sign of blood and apply some purple spray to it.

 

Others more experienced will come along soon, but she does indeed look like she's been pecked. I have recently got new girls, but as they are only 18 weeks and new to my existing two girls I am following the slow introduction process and therefore they are living seperately which I feel would be better for a safer intro. The free range with the others with me (broom in hand) ready to wade in if there's handbags drawn.

 

Good luck they are lovely girls

[Falkor]

What lovely girls

 

I love the columbines funky hair do!

 

I think when I get my new girls I will do as Cookie Monster is doing and keep them in seperate and for a while to let them all get used to eachother from behind mesh.

 

Re the blood I think chooks will just keep going for her now they have drawn blood. I would try Purple spay.

[shibby69]

Aww they're both lovely!

[LJ's Chooks]

Just be careful introducing a columbine with a crest... we lost ours I think because she was younger than the others and her crest.... I dont need to say any more,

 

They are gorgeous .... I'd love new ones but have 7 gorgeous ones already!!

[Chickvic]

Fantastic pics. Very lovely ladies

[Ain't Nobody Here]

What pretty girls - I love the Columbine (but then I'm a bit biased!).

[chooklady]

I've ordered some gentian violet spray, hopefully it will come quickly.

 

The man at Thorne's told me last time and this time to introduce the chickens that way.

I seperated them at 7.30 this morning. I had previously been leaving the door open but couldn't do that with the new girls in there, so they were shut in. I will keep them apart until she has healed.

[chelsea]

what beauties! and that must be the whitest chicken I've ever seen!

[chooklady]

what beauties! and that must be the whitest chicken I've ever seen!

 

Hope it doesn't snow again or I might loose her!!!

[BarbaraJ]

Lovely girls i was at Thornes yesterday too what time were you there? i was there at 10 but no one else was buying chickens so you couldn't have been there then doh!

 

I also bought a columbine, a speckeldy and a maran cuvee

 

strange about the advice you got as i told the man i was keeping them seperate and he said good because mine were only 17 weeks and needed growers pellets for a week or 2 then a mix of both. but yours seem a little older.

[chooklady]

Lovely girls i was at Thornes yesterday too what time were you there? i was there at 10 but no one else was buying chickens so you couldn't have been there then doh!

 

I also bought a columbine, a speckeldy and a maran cuvee

 

strange about the advice you got as i told the man i was keeping them seperate and he said good because mine were only 17 weeks and needed growers pellets for a week or 2 then a mix of both. but yours seem a little older.

 

Did you buy one of the Speckledy's that had really silver hoods, they were gorgeous, I really wanted one, but had to resist.

I told him I'd only got layers mash and he said not to worry! Strange.

We were there just before 1 o'clock, it was Frank that served us. The Columbine is definately a bit older. I don't like the first few weeks, it worries me. Last time we had no bothers at all with them being together at night it was just during the day they got a bit stroppey, In a few weeks they will be fine.

Once they start laying everything seems to settle doesn't it.