Unsecure chicken perches

[Leicester_H]

Hi

 

We had 2 Omlet girls in 2007. Chikki died last year (July), so we got 2 new girls for company.

They lived in separate Eglu and run as Boo didn't take to them - until Christmas, when they all seemed happy together.

Boo had been bullying them terribly - especially Lily - Smokie tried to help by getting between them (she is a dear!)

 

But now Lily is top Chicken and has recently started feather fulling. Why ? - bored now days are longer ? (But was Ok last summer). Short of puting home entertainment system in the run, I'm not sure what more I can do? Am trying slow treats (like raw swede etc) - but I can only give them so much food!!

 

Yesterday, when OH let them out to free range, he noticed blood on Smokie. So I cleaned her up and sprayed with Gention Violet

So I removed Lily from run (as the bully) - but Boo was pecking viciously at wound.

 

So took for Smokie to the Vet.

She prescribed Baytril (for 1 week) and said to keep separate for 1 month (due to eggs not being edible for 28 days after the 7 days meds).

So I'm a bit concerned about re-intoducing her in a months time - their runs are 1m apart (so can see each other) and we'll let them free range together - so I guess theres not much more I can do until then ?

 

We also mentioned that they're eating LOADS of grit and when we wash droppings away, theres usually quite a lot of grit & Aubiose left behind.

(they have the finest organic layers pellet with garlic powder, poulty spice & bran, separate grit container)

She suggested they might need more roughage and to put some straw or hay in the run.

 

I thought 1 of these 2 was 'forbidden' - which is OK ? (I did search forum but couldn't find it)

 

She also asked if they had enough run space - is 3 in a standard eglu run for 23 hours a day too crowded ?? (we can't really add an extention now).

They did seem happy enough until recently (nothing has changed that I know of) - in fact, they were going around togther, when free ranging, much more than previously, rather than all doing their own thing.

 

Sorry for long email but I really want them all to get on together

 

Thanks all, H

[Daphne]

Re hay/straw - hay can cause serious illness problems via spores so don't use that. I can't believe the vet thinks its a good idea to put straw down so it can be eaten either - hasn't she heard of impacted crop

 

TBH I've never heard of fowl needing extra roughage, and the diet you're feeding (pellets mostly) is just right. Just to check, you are feeding mixed grit? Mixed has soluble oyster shell (helps with egg shell formation) and hard grit which helps their gizzard grind food. Assuming this is OK personally I wouldn't be changing their diet.

 

Vets give different withdrawal advice re Baytril eggs. Mine says 7 days. If you can tell the difference between your girls' eggs I don't see why you need to separate because of that. More important to give the wound a chance to heal. Whenever I've used stockholm tar/pencil thing to stop bleeding I've only ever not separated or 12 hours max (but that was light injuries only). The usual advice is to separate the bully, not the victim - integration can be harder as you suspect.

 

I have to say it does sound like they are a bit bored - feather pecking is a classic. I'm sure others will contribute ideas to help. I can only think of hanging cabbage and putting in mid height perches! Is there absolutely no way you can extend the run? What about more FR?

[Egluntyne]

I would say that 3 in a standard run for 23 hous a day is too crowded, The recommendation is 1 section of run per hen.

 

The feather pulling could indicate a shortage of protein. Why not give them mealworms as a supplement?

 

Hay isn't a good idea as it is notorious for causing crop impaction in hens.

 

I'm not a fan of either hay or straw around hens tbh...... Instead of 'roughage' as such, why not try them with greens and a pecka block. It will keep them ocupied.

[chelsea]

I agree with the above replies. Sounds like they have become a little bored and frustrated....maybe because of the onset of the sunnier longer days?

 

As mentioned, I would perhaps hang up some bits and bobs (corn, broccoli etc), maybe put a perch through the eglu run (something different for them ) and if you possibly can maybe add on a coverter/run extension. You could ring Omlet and see if they have any reconditioned extensions.

[Patricia W]

I had this with 3 bantams in a standard eglu run so I agree it is probably related to not enough space. Add a converter if you can or let them free range a bit more? Also try adding perches - that makes the most of the space.

 

Tricia