4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[SarahJo]

Nuggett attacked Mr Snowy last night, tearing her wattle - which then bled to what seemed infinity. Nuggett then kept at her - so I decided to take her to the adopted flock at the farm, where she will be put in her place by the cockerel.

 

It was a hard decision - but with Snowy bleeding and Nuggett having a taste for blood, it may have ended in Snowy being killed. I have never experienced this - and hopefully will not again, and am lucky to have somewhere to take "naughty" birds. I sprayed Mrs Snowys wattle with antibiotic spray (used for larger farm animals normally) and today it is scabbed over and not swollen at all. Thankfully Ebony and Jas only showed concern and have not repeated the behavior.

 

Nuggett had been bullying Jas a little this week - and a few weeks ago laid what looked like "inards". Apparently this is sometimes known as laying the basket (where the eggs usually form) and if this happens the hen will not lay again. I think this has also shifted the power balance and pecking order in the chooks - hence the fighting

 

Anyway - she is now in a big flock of birds and whether she lays again or not does not matter. The other birds also have more room to escape if she tries again - but somehow I think she will wind her neck right in now. The remaining 3 are still in perfect harmony with each other - long may it continue.

[Space Chick]

Sorry you had to make that hard decision, but probably best for your flock in the long term.