Used Omlet outdoor rabbit run Width 2.2m Height 2.05m Length 3.1m vgc.

[Mandy]

Where I work, if I look outside the kitchen window, there are chickens kept in a walk in run on an allotment. These are ex-batterey hens and I have watched them since they arrived as poor, bald, scrawny, pitiful looking creatures turn into beautiful hens. However, while making coffee a few minutes ago I noticed one poor chicken is being pecked to bits and it's just sitting there! What should I do? I don't get my chickens until next Friday and haven't looked after chickens before so I'm a complete novice but this is very upsetting. Over the last few days or so, the hens seem to have made a hollow in the mud and that was worrying me with foxes so I've been keeping an eye on it. This poor chicken seems to be almost trying to huddle in this dip and they keep on pecking. I know one of their owner/carers who works close by - should I let him know or is this normal behaviour?

Mandy

[Redwing]

sadly it is pretty normal, its nice of you to keep an eye on them so if you can check a few times if you see blood being drawn then contact the owner. distracting them is a good idea so if you can go up and disturb them then do so, a tiny bit of bread or some crumbs thrown through will distract the others and enable the hen to make her escape for the hollow - once she is not cornered she will be able to hold her own better

[Mandy]

Thanks Tasha! They have left her alone for the moment but she is certainly making a hole and wriggling around in it! I will keep an eye on her - poor little thing!

[Gamebird]

It sounds as though she is dust-bathing which is normal for chickens. She's probably wriggling around and fluffing up her feathers as well.

[Mandy]

They are fascinating to watch aren't they? I can't wait until next Friday when I get my first ever chickens (2) and red Eglu Go!!!

Mandy

[Redwing]

thats good news, sounds like she was just dust bathing and the others were playing jealous cake

 

You will love having chooks Mandy they are wonderful pets

[keyhole kate]

Hi Mandy

waves from not to far from you

 

If you think there fascinating wait till you get your own life will be richer but never the same you will become seriously addicted You have been warned

[Mandy]

I can't wait - I love watching these chickens from work (very distracting ) and I have found myself clucking at them (not something I would admit to 'normal' people )!!

Where in Herts are you Kate? I'm in Croxley.

Mandy

[keyhole kate]

I have found myself clucking at them (not something I would admit to 'normal' people )!!

You are going to fit in here just nicely

Waves from Hemel Hempstead

[Chicken Shirl]

They probably just wanted to get in the lovely hole she had just made for herself. They do this a lot, but the sensible ones just get up and let the other hen get in, then go off and make another hole. Depends who is highest up in the pecking order.

 

Good Luck with your hens when you get them. Once bitten forever smitten.

[pipistrelle]

I have found myself clucking at them (not something I would admit to 'normal' people )!!

You are going to fit in here just nicely

Waves from Hemel Hempstead

 

Oh, I used to live in Kings Langley then Watford, know your area well

[keyhole kate]

I have found myself clucking at them (not something I would admit to 'normal' people )!!

You are going to fit in here just nicely

Waves from Hemel Hempstead

 

Oh, I used to live in Kings Langley then Watford, know your area well

 

It's a small small world indeed wouldnt mind moving to wales myself you lucky thing

[Plum]

When one is dustbathing the others peck at what they dig up. They could be doing that rather than pecking her

 

Good luck with your girls

[Space Chick]

thats good news, sounds like she was just dust bathing and the others were playing jealous cake

 

You will love having chooks Mandy they are wonderful pets

 

Ah this sounds so familiar My Peri will never let anyone dustbath in peace