jessofcourse Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 we've just got some hens for our back garden, 4 of them very sweet. and theyve become firm favourites with our family. they came from a farm where 5000 were kept in a big barn-i dont know if this makes a difference or not... but we've noticed that 1 is bullying our biggest hen(one with a very small comb) shes getting quite badly pecked and we're not sure what to do. do we seperate them and build a new house and coop for them??? or get rid of the bully??? help! some advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks! jess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 My advice would be to get bumper bits asap from Wernlas (google it). They will supply you very cheaply for postage stamps (ring the number on their website to see what they want). I know it's a bit costly but doing the deed will be much easier if you buy circlip pliers which will fit into the wide end of the bits and expand when you squeeze the pliers, allowing you to easily fit the ends into the chicken's nostrils (you will need someone to hold the hen securely). Don't get bent circlip pliers, but the ones where the prongs stick straight out. Hope this helps. It's great to see the hens feeding and drinking normally and feathering back into lovely hens. Apparently, the bumper bits will fall off or biodegrade and the hens will have forgotten all about their former bad habits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilda-and-evadne Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Apparently, the bumper bits will fall off or biodegrade and the hens will have forgotten all about their former bad habits. I really hoped that my Leghorn would have forgotten about bullying/pecking by the time her bumper bit fell off. I gave her two days of bumper bit freedom and then fitted another because she almost immediately resumed feather-plucking from the Light Sussex's neck; I think I was only just in time to prevent blood being drawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sugarspice Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 i have the same problem with feather pecking 2 of mine will always be wearing a bumper bit as they are naughty madams. bumper bits are brilliant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saracook31 Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 If you've only just got them you should probably just give it a bit more time. I know its horrible to watch but they're probably just sorting out the pecking order in their new gang! Seperating them will only isolate her more and if you try to reintroduce it will probably make it worse. I recently got given a small ex barn hen who got picked on for a while, I started by keeping her in a run inside the large run so the others could see her and get used to her a bit. When I let her out they did peck her and jump on her, so I didn't dare leave her out while I was at work all day. If possible, I'd say keep her in a run so they can see her while you're not about & then let her in with others while you can supervise to check its not to vicious. Its ok as long as no blood is drawn. Right from the start Muffin slept in with the others with no problems, just had to keep an eye during the day. I think with hens kept in large numbers like that they're used to having to fight for food, but they'll soon adapt to their new more laid back life! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 I really hoped that my Leghorn would have forgotten about bullying/pecking by the time her bumper bit fell off. I gave her two days of bumper bit freedom and then fitted another because she almost immediately resumed feather-plucking from the Light Sussex's neck; I think I was only just in time to prevent blood being drawn. Yes, two of mine lost their bumper bits in short order. Having the right circlip pliers and some confidence-building experience is very useful in replacing them. Am happy to report that some noticeable feathering-up has taken place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 It took mine 2 months to stop bullying, but even now there is the occassional peck. I tend to remind the perpetrator that I'm boss by tapping her lightly with a bamboo pole (I am not advocating violence here, I stress it is a light tap, it's supposed to be the same as me pecking her to assert my authority). Anyway it works for my flock, the bullying stops for time being, and blood is never drawn anymore!! I bought bumpa bits but didn't fit them in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
