jane carter Posted July 25, 2009 Share Posted July 25, 2009 Hi everyone just today i noticed some nasty bullying and pecking by one of my chickens- Coco. the other chikky, pearl, is moulting, and coco was having a right 'go'. At first i thought she was just pulling feathers out, and pearl retaliated by giving her a peck on the head! Later on i found pearl crouched down with coco pecking and pecking, altho i shood coco off she came right back and started again. Once i noticed that pearl's back was sore and bloody i separated her. I didnt know wether to remove the bully or the victim, so i decided the bleeding victim was the best one to get out of the way quickly, and hope that coco doesnt start on her flat mate shiaparelli I spent the afternoon rigging up emergency ward 10 from a cat box inside a dog crate with food and water for pearl,and put it right next to the eglu run, thinking that atleast this way, they would all see and hear each other-hope this was the right thing to do? I'm going to try and get some gentian violet tomorrow for pearl as ive read this is good for disguising red, ive also read up on the bumper bit things, just in case its nesessary. pearl is very safe in her new accomodation, and i want her to rest and heal properly.I dont want to put her back in yet, especially as i'm away overnight on tuesday, into wednesday. So, how long should they be seperated for? they've all grown up together, and ive never had any trouble till today, they have a run extension, and free range for at least 4 hours a day, so i dont think its a boredom problem. Also, any tips on reintroducing her, and dealing with this problem? cheers, will sleep better now i've sent this! jane xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 Separating her is best Gentian voilet will help, as will a bumper bit on the bully. As long as the bleeding has stopped and she has some gential violet she should be ok back with the others. You shouldn't need to re-introduce them as its been so short a time and she's still next to them. You sound like you're doing all the right things If the bully starts again you could take her out and away for a few days and then put her back in and she will enter as a lower chook in the pecking order, it sometimes helps to sort things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 Chickens can be surprisingly nasty can't they? I would keep the injured chook seperate until her wound has healed and scabbed over properly. I would get a bumper bit on the nasty hen ASAP also. Sadly I had to rehome 2 evil hens because of their cannibalistic ways. It got so bad that I wasn't left with much choice really. Once they got a taste for blood they just wouldn't stop and it was awful. Here is a pic of my Rose after she had been attacked.............................. I personally would bathe the injured hen with salt water, get a bumper bit on the bully ASAP and get your purple spray. Once you are ready-put the victim back in (with her purple spray on), make sure the bully has her bumper bit on and see what happens next. Any trouble-put the bully in the dog crate for a week or so away from the other hens. I wish you the best of luck-many people have had similar problems and it all turned out fine in the end so don't worry too much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 I'd separate the bully and put a bumper bit on her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 a water pistol might help in the mean time or a small garden spray bootle set to stream quick squrt at the bully I've fond helps after a couple of time the sight of the bottle is Enough to make them think first mind you if they don't see that you've got it close by they do try they're luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jane carter Posted July 26, 2009 Author Share Posted July 26, 2009 hi all oh thanks for such confidence boosting replies, really appreciate them all. i think i''ll wait a couple of days before re-introducing Pearl, and give her wing chance to heal. i'm going to make sure that Coco isnt bullying Shiaparelli, or else i'll swap round who goes in the dog house as suggested! Poor Rosie pic- that looked nasty, as for the blood lust thing-yep i was having nightmares!I can only assume its some part of the chikky brain thats still in touch with its inner dinosaur! yakk-onwards and upwards and off to the equine shop! thanks again very valuable to have a team with me! jane xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
