Single hen

[Abbey Road Girl]

For some time I've had a problem with my four hens denuding each other (though one looks totally innocent ) and I can't determine how much of their "moulting" is for real.

 

I have bumper bits and bought some circlips pliers (is there more than one kind?--the ones I have require you to squeeze outwards which is much harder than squeezing inwards which is what I had expected).

 

In 11 months I only had one pecking which turned bloody and luckily it must have happened just before they went toddling off to bed and suffered little harm but three of four just look really raggedy. (All four have naked bottoms and haven't refeathered since December.)

 

I'm membership secretary for CamLETS, Cambridge's Local Exchange and Trading Scheme, but so far there's no bumper bit fitting expert involved. Two chicken novice members tried to help me have a go but we all wimped out. The pliers didn't work, the hot water didn't work and we didn't want to stress out the lovely Sweetie.

 

Anybody who has the skills out there who can help?

[Olly]

Sorry, I'm too far away to help. I have fitted one once, and it was quite stressful for all concerned! Firstly, are you sure you have got the right pliers? I think there may be more than one kind - the sort you have should open when you squeeze the handles together, and close when you release them. This makes it easier to hold the bit open, but a little scary as I was afraid that I'd lose my grip and close them on the poor hen's beak!

 

The other tip is - don't be too delicate. Get someone else to hold the errant chicken, and get a FIRM GRIP on her head - I was so scared of doing some damage that I wasn't holding her head firmly enough, and she kept ducking away at first.

 

It's not easy, but once you have done it, you'll feel able to do it again and it really is worth it because it will bring almost instant peace to the hencoop. I hope there's someone near you who might be able to to help. Alternatively, you could ask your vet for help? that was my plan if I hadn't managed it in the end.

[Margalot]

Sorry,

We are too far away also. We used the wrap the chicken in a towel one of us held her firmly and opened the beak whilst holding their heads still. The other had the bumper bits in a cup of hot water and my OH used his brute force (we didnt have the pliers) to open the bits.

 

I must admit the first one is the hardest, but we now successfully have 2 hens fitted and peace is upon the coop!

 

We spoke to a friend about it and apparently they also fit these onto young pheasants, so if you know anyone who goes shooting, they might be able to put you into touch. One guy in our neighbouring village fits around 2000 a year to the pheasants!

 

You also have to remember to be firm and it really is the kindest thing! (although It left me more distressed than the chooks!) good luck!

[Egluntyne]

Electricbarbarella and I fitted bumperbits to two of her hens last week. We did soak them in hot water, wrapped the hen tightly in a towel, held her head very firmly and placed the bit in the mouth and then flipped it downwards into the nostrils.

 

It occurred to me later that a bit of vaseline on the prongy bits might have helped grease it into place.

 

I have fitted them before, with pliers, but I forgot to take them.

[quickcluck]

I fitted mine like Eglutine, but I did mine after they had been in bed for a while to make them more docile

[Cooks]

I dont have the skills at all, never fitted one myself as never needed to... yet, but I can follow instructions if someone gave me them, I dont live that far away although 'Al' is nearer that comes on here if she is bumper bit savvy but the chances of me getting to you before the weekend/next week would be doubtful though, with work.

[Abbey Road Girl]

Thank you so much everyone! Just knowing that there's such a great place to come to for moral support is a big help with any problem.

 

Thanks loads, Cookie Monster, didn't know you were in the vicinity. "Al" pm'd me a few months ago after she looked down from the Elizabeth Way bridge and saw my Cube. We were going to get together when the weather improved, so I'll get back to her and see if she has "the knowledge".

 

For those of you who have done it and given helpful advice, can anyone say how they hold the hen's head? By the ears? By the neck?

 

I forgot to say that I would be more than happy to compensate for a helper's time with a couple of jars of home made chutney and/or gladioli bulbs! (I'm assuming that offering eggs would be like taking coals to Newcastle!)

[Cooks]

LOL you do know I am in Cambridge, I am Loopyloo!!!! I have just changed my name thats all LOL

[westleigh]

Hey why dont all us cambridge people meet up one evening just a thought

[Abbey Road Girl]

LOL you do know I am in Cambridge, I am Loopyloo!!!! I have just changed my name thats all LOL

 

Hey, I am SO out of touch here, Loopyloo! Been too busy to keep up (chickens come first you know!).

 

Hope that things are going well for you these days!

[Abbey Road Girl]

Hey why dont all us cambridge people meet up one evening just a thought

 

I live near Midsummer Common (but then my forum name gives that away) so perhaps we could all put our chickens on leashes, westleigh, and take them for a stroll along the Cam some summer evening.

 

Then DIY ice cream sundaes back at mine?

[westleigh]

sounding good to me do you think others will want to join us???

[Cooks]

things here are ok Sue, just busy busy as usual!

[Abbey Road Girl]

sounding good to me do you think others will want to join us???

 

I wouldn't be a bit surprised, westleigh. Cambridge seems to be a hot bed of hen keeping (or should that be a bed of hot hen houses?) these days. I sense that various orgs (Omlet, CamLETS and Cambridge Transition) will be in common cause.

 

Better use of one's time than writing your MP? Even if your MP is a good 'un, putting your energy into being active in the community and doing greeny things may be much more productive.

 

(I should disclose that I stood as an independent candidate for Parliament in 2005. I tied for last with the other independent but I did get more votes for money spent--just over sixty quid--and I did get to say my piece despite quaking in me boots.)

 

But outside of politics, hen keepers may just wanna have fun! The offer of ice cream sundaes stands!

[Abbey Road Girl]

things here are ok Sue, just busy busy as usual!

 

Lots of love to you and yours then, Loopy!

[Cooks]

things here are ok Sue, just busy busy as usual!

 

Lots of love to you and yours then, Loopy!

 

back atcha Sue xxx