leighs chickens Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I'm not sure who has seen my thread re my lovely hen Princess Jasmine being really bullied. Anyway, I have purchased some bumpa bits to fit to the bullies. I just have a question for those that may have used these: I am aware that the hens fitted with these are able to lead a normal life eating and drinking but are they still able to peck etc at the corn/veg i give them in their run? Ultimately, as long as they are no longer to be able to bully those lower then them in the pecking order that will be good but on the other hand I don't want them to suffer as a result Any feedback from users of these greatly appreciated. Thanx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Fret not! 3 of my girls are bitted up at the moment and they manage very well They can pick up corn and stuff, and they even manage to have a go at cabbage and veggies that I hang up!!! The important thing is that the chick at the bottom of the pecking order is getting a bit of a break from the bully...... Be brave.... its in a good cause Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 Me too - my 2 bullies are perfectly fine and can do all they used to except cause damage! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leighs chickens Posted April 11, 2009 Author Share Posted April 11, 2009 Thanks for the replies - they have made me feel better about putting the bits on. Me & Hubbie tried to 'bit' Cheif Bully 'Maude' Very unsucessfully My god they're fiddly -I've enrolled a friend to help - me thinks this is a three man job LOL (any tips on how to get them on???) Leigh x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margalot Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Hope your'e doing ok with the bits! We wrapped then hen in a towel one of us held her head still and opened her beak the other got the bit from a cup of hot water, put the bit in her beak then popped the two prongs in her nostrils. Thats the hardest bit! you need brute force to open the bits up or some circlip pliers. We have had our bits fitted on 2 hens for around 4 weeks now, they are still on and have stopped the habit of feather plucking/eating from 2 of the hens. One of the bitted up hens is still top of the pecking order, but she cant get the others now, they still run away though and let her eat first etc. Our first plan was to put bits on all 4, but Ginger was completely put out and couldnt eat properly so we removed hers, she was never the guilty one anyway! and it felt as if we were putting the whole class in detention! and Midnight our most nervous hen after 10 minutes of catching, attempting to hold her and finally getting the bit on, she jumped down wiped her beak and got it off!! so we never attempted again they have definatle made a difference though, and I can leave them shut in when we go away knowing that they cannot harm each other Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leighs chickens Posted April 15, 2009 Author Share Posted April 15, 2009 Oh god i'm not having a lot of luck with the bumper bits! I just can't get it on (I haven't tried warming it up in hot water to make it more pliable so will give that a go tomorrow) Being new to chicken keeping i;m not 100% sure where I should be putting the nose prongs??? Please help someone - anyone got a close up picture of where thay should be - I'm presuming the bigger holes further back on the nostrils God I just don't know and I need to get these on the bullies ASAP so Jasmine can go back in with her 'friends' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 check this out viewtopic.php?t=22584 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmaw298 Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Soaking them in warm water definitely helps. I also stretched mine a little bit before putting it on. Wrapping the hen in a towel does help to keep them still whilst you do it. Its tricky the first time but perservere! Mine had bumperbits on for a few months and all coped fine after some sneezing and scratching at it the first day. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I tend to do mine after they have been in bed for a while as they are more docile.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
