Single hen

[chixandthecity]

I posted on here a couple of days ago about our new hens, Blossom (White Star) and Sunflower (Maran hybrid).

 

They arrived with us on Saturday but since then Blossom (WS) has been mercilessly bullying Sunflower (chasing in and out of Eglu, pecking, pulling out feathers, depriving her of food/water etc...)

 

We let them both out to free range a bit yesterday and also put some Stockholm tar on poor Sunflower, which seems to have put Blossom off her a bit. There is some improvement today in that Sunflower is coming out of the eglu more and eating and drinking, but she is so terrified of bully Blossom that she runs every time she goes near her.

 

I just checked the egg port (Blossom is already a prolific layer!) and noticed a very odd looking poo (runny, mustardy colour). I think it was from Sunflower as she has been hiding in the Eglu part of the morning. I'm worried that she is a bit under the weather following the trauma of the past few days.

 

Is there any tonic I can give her?

 

Sunflower hasn't laid yet (the farmer who supplied us said she is already laying, but wouldn't lay for a few days due to settling in - Blossom has not been affected at all by the upheaval!)

 

Anyway, thanks for listening and look forward to your advice

Chix

 

26/03/09

- White Star, Blossom, arrived 28/03/09

Maran Hybrid - arrived 28/03/09

[Christian]

I wouldn't worry too much about the poo just yet Chix. It is probably just settling in nerves and will settle in a day or two.

 

Every 10th or so poo comes from a different part of the gut and is mustardy and stinking!

 

Hope they settle down soon and Blossom stops picking on Sunflower. The pecking order is horrible to watch but will stop eventually.

 

Maybe add another dish of food and water? She can't guard both of them!