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

[Jennyhenny]

Please help,

 

Everything was fine this morning when I left for work but just got back to find World War 3 has broken out. My husband arrived home first to find Popcorn (Miss Pepperpot) on the nest, there were two eggs on the run floor - obviously the others werent allowed in the eglu. My husband turfed her off. Holly (Gingernut Ranger) has blood on her comb and the Popcorn and Margo (Miss Pepperpot) are bullying her, Popcorn more than Margo. Popcorn also puffs up like a ball whenever Holly or us goes near her but not when Margo does. They keep pecking at Holly whenever she goes to share the treats with them.

 

Please help I don't know what to do.

 

Jennyhenny

[Ness3103]

sorry to hear you're having problems i can't offer any advice unfortunately and hopefully the experts will be along soon. i'm having similar problems and know how upsetting it is i've spent the last 3 days armed with purple spray and a water pistol my girls have all decided to peck, pluck and eat each others feathers. scarlet has a completely bald bottom and ebony has a nice bald patch on her back that was bleeding. i'm waiting for my ukadex to arrive and i've ordered bumper bits too. at the moment i can't wait til they go to bed so i can relax.

 

i hope you get it sorted soon

[Jennyhenny]

Thanks Ness3102,

 

Its nice to know others are out there and Im not on my own. I can't bear to watch it breaks my heart. At the moment I have put the biggest bully Popcorn back in the run and the other two are outside. Now the biggest bully is shut in the other two seem to be ok together. Are you ok at night, can you put them in together?

 

Jennyhenny

[Ness3103]

mine seem fine at night thank goodness. they are in a wir as my garden isn't safe enough to let them free range so i can't even separate them. it's horrid to watch and it's put me off getting any more and trying to do introductions. i'm still in shock at how vicious they are i'm hoping they calm down because i haven't got a clue how i'm going to get bumper bits on them

 

maybe separating the bully will help, they might be fine when they all get back together

[Patricia W]

Jennyhenny

 

How much space do they have and how much time free-ranging? This happened to me with my three bantams in the eglu with the standard run. It stopped as soon as I gave them more space and let them free range more.

 

But in the short term, I'd arm myself with purple spray, anti-peck spray and get a bumpa bit. Also, you could try taking the bully out for a time so she goes down the pecking order. I do hope peace returns soon- it's amazing how nasty they can be.

 

Tricia

[Jennyhenny]

Jennyhenny

 

How much space do they have and how much time free-ranging? This happened to me with my three bantams in the eglu with the standard run. It stopped as soon as I gave them more space and let them free range more.

 

I have three girls in a standard run, I have netting that adds about another 4 ft onto the front of this. I work in a morning so they are kept in til abut 2pm then I open up the run door so they have the extra room.

 

But in the short term, I'd arm myself with purple spray, anti-peck spray and get a bumpa bit. Also, you could try taking the bully out for a time so she goes down the pecking order. I do hope peace returns soon- it's amazing how nasty they can be.

 

 

I have take the bully out and popped her in the run and left the other two in the front part and they seem absolutely fine. How long should I leave it before opening the door up to let the bully out

 

Thanks everyone, Jennyhenny

[Jennyhenny]

Quick update this morning.

 

The tables have turne After putting Popcorn back in the run for being the bully and leaving the other two out, I let her back with the other two about 3 hours later. I couldn't believe it Holly who was being bullied and is the quiet timid one is now the bully and flying for Popcorn, she is flying for her and grabbing the back of her neck. Whenenver Holly comes anywhere near she puffs up in a ball, Holly only has to look at her.

 

At bedtime they went to bed fine - which I was dreading. This morning I have let them out and all fine for 30 seconds and then Holly went for Popcorn again. I have hadto given them the whole of the garden so Popcorn has a chance to run.

 

Anybody any ideas, how long will this take I can't stand to watch, I cannot believe my girls are doing this to each other, from day one they have been the best of friends.

 

Jennyhenny

[Jennyhenny]

I have had to put Holly in the sin bin now as she keeps going for Popcorn. Should I keep them apart and for how long?

 

This is heartbreaking to watch

 

Jennyhenny

[Patricia W]

I have a feeling you'll need bumpa bits. There are people on here who know how to fit them - or do you have someone near by to help? I do feel for you!

 

Tricia

[Space Chick]

I needed to fit my first bumper bit today, and it was fairly straight forward with the right pliers, but was a 2 person job.

[eggscombobulated]

What are bumper bits please?!!

[Jennyhenny]

Its the morning of day 3, I have let them out the eglu and Holly has attacked Popcorn immediately. I have removed the bully and put her separate (in a netted area at front of run). I have to go to work soon and I daren't leave them together I'm sure Holly will kill Popcorn.

 

I let them freerange together last night for a couple of hours after Holly had been in the sin bin for a few hours and they kept there distance mostly. Whenever Holly looks or goes near Popcorn, Popcorn puffs up in a ball and clucks, I think if she didnt do this Holly would take no notice but this seems to attract Hollys bullying, mind you saying that when I let them out the eglu this morning poor Popcorn had done nothing. Popcorn seems semi broody again as well could this have anything to do with it

 

I hate to say this but I don't know how much more I can take of this, I thought chickens were one of the easiest pets to keep and my husband is losing patience as well I think, it was me that talked him into us having the girls

 

Sorry to go on but I don't know what to do Why have they started this now after 5 months.

 

Jennyhenny

[Newmarcell]

Hi Jennyhenny,

 

I've PM'd you with a few tips to try, and also to let you know that I have some Ukadex if you are unable to source any locally.

 

Kind regards,

 

Newmarcell

[Ness3103]

aww hun i know how you feel, i'm quite at how nasty mine are being to each other at the moment. they were playing tug of war with tia's wings yesterday. my oh is getting fed up too i talked him into having the girls, told him how cheap they were to keep and easy to look after. he's not happy with me, cos we've spent a fortune on them, had a nice big vet bill within the first month and all the sprays and extras needed has started to add up. now they're all pecking each other i've had to spend more money and the blimin ukadex was dispatched thursday and still hasn't arrived i haven't spent much time in the garden with them because i can't bear to watch anymore i was saving up for so i could get some more girls but i don't think i'm going to now.