Chicken bald back

[cocktail_chick]

After administering antibiotics, twice per day as instructed by the vet, struggling in the dark, wind and rain to be gentle and kind to them as I performed the horrid task my beautiful girls won't talk to me. They run away and hide and seem petrified at the thought of me catching them, let alone stroking them. Will they ever get over it and be friends again?

[Janty]

They will forgive you, trust me. One of my cochins has had more medicines, etc. administered to her than the rest of the flock put together. She takes it all in her stride now and doesn't bat an eyelid when I pick her up. I found that getting them out at night to give medicines was best. That way you avoid the chase and get them out of the nestbox when they are calm. They then don't associate the 'daytime you' with any unpleasantness.

[Jools]

They have very short memories, made even shorter by treats like mealworms.

[Saronne]

I know this well as I had to administer Baytril to 15 hens twice a day for a week. It was shattering! The weird thing was some of my hens actually became more friendly (through handling) and some became more wary and avoided me. 7 weeks (and many treats ) later, we're all friends again.

 

Don't worry! Just bring on the treats (not too many, of course ) - they'll forgive you.

 

 

 

Saronne xx

[cocktail_chick]

I was really careful with how I fed them, just as you did Janty at night and in the morning before they went out, but hasn't made a difference. Will go in search of meal worms and other chookie goodies tomorrow, although doubtful it will make any difference, they look so cross!!

[Jools]

They're just trying to make you feel guilty ............. and to buy them mealworms.

[Janty]

Try making them come to you for treats. Hold the treats in your hands and they should soon change their minds.

 

It's all about cupboard love really.

 

[cocktail_chick]

They ravaged their meal worms and retired for a siesta followed by a leisurely stroll down their ladder late afternoon eagerly looking at me for more tasty morsels but as I approached they flounced off feathers in the air ...... I'm beginning to think they're playing me now so that I keep the scrummy nibbles coming !!!

[Valkyrie]

Apache sulked for ages - I had to put cream in her eye and give her antibiotics. Boy did she run a mile when she saw me. Nowadays she is the second easiest bird to pick up. It's definitely the mealworms. Or grapes. Or raisins. Or sultanas. Or the latest is pine kernels now and again.