Unsecure chicken perches

[Leicester_H]

I'm getting really worried about poor Smokie and running out of ideas. Here's the LONG story cut down to the bare essentials (I hope)

 

* April 2007 Got Chikki & Boo from Omlet

*30 July 2009 Chikki PTS

*2 Aug 2009 Got Lily and Smokie from Merrydale (POL) - had seperate run (with cat box to sleep in) 1m from Boo's run(so could see and hear each other ). Allowed to free range together after 1 week.

 

*After a few weeks, tried to intergrate them all in one run. Boo was awful bully so seperated them.

 

*Tried again after another few weeks - again Boo reduced them to cowering in a corner - real Bully stuff (not just pecking order stuff). Bumper Bit on Boo made no difference

 

*So Sept 14 got brand new Eglu to go with run. Both runs on patio (about 1m apart - so can see and hear each other) and allowed to FR together.

 

*Eventually on 25th Dec (!!) they decided to live happiliy together in Boo's run - much relief and happiness all round

- recently, I'd even commented how I'd noticed that recently they'd been FRing as a group of 3 rather than as individuals or a pair and an individual

 

*Mostly OK (a little feather plucking ) until 10th March - when they were let out to FR, OH noticed large (size of 50p) bloody wound on Smokie's rear end (to side of vent). Taken to Vet - 1 weeks Baytril prescribed and separation until wound healed.

 

*They were all allowed to FR together (under CAREFUL supervision) and they didn't seem to be pecking Smokie.

 

*Yesterday, added converter to run so 3m long (took a while as run on wheeled platform) and put all 3 in together. They were fine while I was obviously watching them - Smokie was squirming away from Boo - but no serious pecking

 

*But when I came inside and watched secretly Lily and Boo we mercilessly chasing Smokie and pecking her. She fled into the eglu, Lily waited outside to door and Boo went in to get her.

 

*I managed to get Smokie out, to find a small bleeding wound on her. She was not happy and cowering in fear in the eglu - so I put her back in the spare run.

 

*I'm waiting on some bumper bits that I ordered from Wernlas last week, but I'm not hopeful that these will help

-When Boo was bullying the new pair she still managed to terrorise them despite a bumper bit

- so now its 2 bullies onto poor Smokie I doubt this will help.

 

* So very disappointing as they all seemed to be getting on together for several months - why the sudden change?

 

*I can keep Smokie in the spare run for as long as necessary (certainly until her wound heals) - they can all see and hear each other - and they can FR for an hour or so a day - and just wait until they choose to live in one eglu together again

 

*I can't think what else to do ? I can't bare for poor Smokie to be pecked to the point of bleeding any more - HELP !

Edited March 22, 2010 by Guest

[tom123]

What a nightmare!

 

Some people may disagree with me now but this is what I would do...

 

* Leave Smokie in the spare eglu

 

* Get her a friend and pop them in together.

 

* Let them get accustomed and after a week allow them to FR in the garden while Lily & Boo are in the run.

 

* After a couple of weeks of each pair FR one at a time, allow both groups out together and see how it goes.

 

* If the 2 bullies continue to bully Smokie and friend then I would call it a day and keep the 2 groups separate.

 

 

Thats what I would do

 

Good luck

Tom

[MedusA]

Poor little Smokie!

 

It sounds like you've done everything right, Hazel. I've had some 2 onto 1 bullying, but not nearly as bad as you're getting.

 

I'd give it one more go, once Smokie is healed again. If that doesn't work, you may have to resign yourself to separation, with a new friend for Smokie, as Tom suggests.

 

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Sandychick]

Poor Smokey I like Tom's advice - it might stop the 2 on 1 bullying. And a good excuse for another chicken! Is there any change in Smokey since the bulling started again? If she has any illnes or is a bit weaker for some reason, that might have started them off?

 

Good luck, I hope it works out.

[chickyhazel]

Toms idea is good, but a final resort really. Have you put anti-peck spray on Smokie? It can help. Try integrating them once more and see how they go. If they continue to peck her, get a sprayer and spray them every time they try to peck her. Continue this for a few days, then leave them and see how they go. There is bound to be some pecking to establish an aptly named pecking order, but it should be small scale. If the spraying doesn't work (that is to say there is still very vicious pecking, not small scale pecking) you could try Toms idea.

[Leicester_H]

Thanks all.

I have anti peck spray - but that didn't seem to help before - I will try again (but not yet as don't want to put on open wound) - and bumper bits should be on their way.

 

I can't identify any change in Smokie that started this, after several months of happily living together.

 

But now Smokie has been pecked, bloodied and bullied she is cautious of them - so they seem to like the fun of bullying her.

 

Its a real shame as they seemed so happy together - and the plan was to get 3 ex-bats to fill the 2nd run.

 

I will try to integrate Smokie back with the others (as this would be best outcome) - but I can only do it when I can supervise - as last time it only took 30mins to have her cowering with fear and bleeding.

Maybe over Easter I'll let them free range for a whole day together.

 

Smokie seems OK in the separate run (as she's only 1m from the others) - Boo was OK like this for 5 months.

I could get her a friend but then I'd have 2 runs with 2 chickens - once one dies, I'm back to square one.

 

Chickens - they rule our lives.

 

H

[beulah59]

I have a little one being bullied ... she's still in with them, wearing a saddle to protect her back (the pecking is always round her tail) and I spray any bald/sore patch with purple spray immediately.

 

I'm fairly sure that when she feathers up completely, it will get better. It's as if a bald patch indicates weakness ...

[chickencam]

This is a difficult problem to solve, because once a hen has a bad habit it is hard to break.

 

Just a thought have you checked Smokie for lice. My youngsters were all fine together until one of them got some lice and then the top chook started having a go at her. We have now treated them all and the bully is wearing a bumper bit

[Leicester_H]

Just a thought have you checked Smokie for lice.

 

Yes - 3 times. Vet also checked.

 

Could check again - I assume from what I've read, they are fairly easy to see ?

 

H

[quickcluck]

What a terrible position you are in.......

 

I'd go with Tom TBH so that smokie has a little friend..... then the intro's might be a tad easier. I tend to do mine over 5 weeks or so, although I may be a tad too cautious But they are only allowed 5-10 mins together after 4 weeks of being on opposite sides of the fence. This goes on for a week or so with longer periods together supervise by me, OH and very large water pistol!

[Egluntyne]

I'd try having Smokie with the 2nd in command for a a while so that they become pals ( after she has healed her wounds) and maybe they will stand firm together against the main perpetrator.

 

Another method is to swap them all about constantly so that they are confused - divide and conquer - and it might break bad habits.

[Leicester_H]

I'd try having Smokie with the 2nd in command for a a while so that they become pals ( after she has healed her wounds) and maybe they will stand firm together against the main perpetrator.

Another method is to swap them all about constantly so that they are confused - divide and conquer - and it might break bad habits.

 

Yes - thats an idea. Smokie & Lily were best pals for 5 months before moving in with Boo (due to Boo's bullying of the 2 newbies)

Will try that this w/e when I can supervise.

 

Method 2 - might be interesting as well.

 

Thanks all, fingers crossed, H

[Falkor]

Well Quickcluck - if you are cautious then I don`t know what that makes me - I think my longest introduction was 12 maybe thirteen weeks

 

I would try and break Boo of the habbit rather than getting more chooks as it may be that the newbie chook is picked on or joins Boos bully gang.

 

I would seperate Boo, apply bumper bit to both bullies and cover Smokie's wound in purple spray and the rest of her in Anti-peck spray (use something to shield the wound whilst you squirt).

 

If you work during the week probably best to do this on a weekend so you can monitor Lily and Smokie together closley.

 

Then after a week or so of seperation but in sight of eachother I would allow seperate free ranging. Let the two wander around Boos eglu whilst she is shut in and vice versa. I always put a grub of feed on the outside of the eglu run for the free rangers very close to the enclosed chooks so that they can feed together but not get at each other.

 

Then after mabye after a few weeks of that I would try free ranging with netting in between - the reason I use this method is cos the netting is flexible so they can get closer to each other but can also escape with out being chased.

 

Once I am happy they they are not likely to go for eachother (this takes as long as it takes) then i would let them range all together for short periods and build it up over time.

 

Then I wait for them all to go to bed together of their own accord. But for a week or so after that each morning I put them in their seperate runs for the day. Then let them FR together for an hour before bed and let them go to bed where they please.

 

Phew - can you see why it takes me a long time!!!!

[quickcluck]

Glad I'm not the only one

[chickyhazel]

I agree that you shouldn't get more chickens yet, that you be a last resort. Making the second in command make friends with Smokie is a good idea, as long as Boo doesn't get upset. Personally I think bumper bits are far too mean and fiddly but it's all about personal opinion so if you are happy to use them they do work sometimes.

[sandyhas3chucks]

just going to stick my 2 p worth in.

What have you in the runs?

Are they empty? is there anything for poor Silkie to get aroiund up on etc to be away from the others?

Is there anything to distract te others from a straight attack???

I ask as I had exactly your problem, it is awful.

I think "Es" advice is good, it is what I do with my girls now, although 7 now not the 3 I started with, and slightly different reasons..

If it is bare I will make my sugggestions.

If not......hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

[Leicester_H]

Hi

There are a couple of perches (I am working on more) - but when she's on them, she's a perfect pecking height !

 

I tried a hanging mirror and bell - but the ywere so scared of it they hid in the eglu!!

 

When FR yesterday, Smokie seemed scared of Boo but fine with Lily - so at w/e I'll probably put Smokie & Lily in the (now extended, 3m) run and Boo (who I THINK is the worst bully) in the other run.

If Lily starts feather pulling again, I'll bumper bit her.

 

Thanks all for your suggestions - even if there is no perfect solution, its useful to know I'm basically doing it right - its just the chickens that are the problem!!

 

H

[sandyhas3chucks]

Hi these are not of my Eglu run, sorry mods of they come out too big,.

I think you should be able to do similar in the Eglu runs, they can get up on. also whilst fuly able to get through it was like a sort of mental barrier for them and they didn't chase so much!

they were often 2 and 2 either side!

Just going off now to take some photos of the spare Eglu run and arrangement.

hope it may help you with ideas

http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq11/shehas4chooks/16102009.jpg

http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq11/shehas4chooks/16102009_001.jpg

Edited March 25, 2010 by Guest

[sandyhas3chucks]

Eglu photos showing large climbing frame and sand pit (actually plain dirt bath! )

and not showing the turf I put in there for them either!

am hoping these links are smaller or just links

http://s429.photobucket.com/albums/qq11/shehas4chooks/snow%20in%20Feb/?action=view&current=25032010045.jpg

http://s429.photobucket.com/albums/qq11/shehas4chooks/snow%20in%20Feb/?action=view&current=25032010044.jpg

[Leicester_H]

Many thanks - I have some branches ready - will construct they play ground this w/e.

H

[sandyhas3chucks]

I think some folks have also created like the trellis type barrier using canes sticking through.

It may not work with yours but having been there I reckon it is worth trying everything to see if it helps.

I think it is a shame that the size/shape if the Eglu run, makes it hard to put somerthing in there for one to hide behind as out of sight helps too!

not until I got my WIR and put in the straw bale did I have sucess but I never did figure anything out for the Eglu run. !(didn't have the trellis thought then, tried the flexible stuff but couldn't work out a way of putting it in, but reckon the square stuff would have worked.

good luck

[AEH]

Am new to all this - got 3 australorp bantams last Sunday and have been a bit traumatised by the experience. My Boo is being bullied by the other two. A few feathers missing from her neck and a tiny amount of blood on her comb. They all come from the same flock and are between 12 & 18 months old (suspect she is youngest of 3) so should be used to one another (but this is obviously a different set up). She is really scared and comes to me as soon as I am out in the garden. Have put in twigs into run as a screen and just introduced a perch (which she has used immediately). Can't sustain this situation for too long though - it is too cruel! Don't have space for a second run so something (or some hen will have to give soon!!). Hope yours begin to behave themselves soon - any tips gratefully received!

[Plum]

That's a rough start AEH. What sort of set up do you have?

[AEH]

Hi - a small backgarden and they have an integrated run & coop - the run is 6 foot x 4 foot and they have been out in the garden yesterday & today. The other two still won't leave her alone for very long though if she wonders within range of them! I have put in an additional feeder for her (she can feed when the other two are distracted) and she is drinking ok. There is an upturned flower pot with twigs of rosemary around it so that she can get out the way and the perch (put in this afternoon) seems to be a bit of a hit. I just have to hope that the others can't figure how to get up there! She was very, very highly strung when I put her into the run last Sunday whereas the other two settled right in. Don't know whether that has got anything to do with it. They were used to being in a shed with wire mesh sides in a flock of about 15 - 20 birds. Boo is laying in the nest boxes.

[sandyhas3chucks]

Only advice is same as you have read, there is plenty of room for you to put more in there, how about a plastic underbed box with some dirt in for a dustbath? Or a garden trug 3/4 full, this is big enough to not be seen behind also.

The other thing to try is is one worse than the other, you could try putting the main bully in a separate dog crate therefore allowing the others to become friends.

I do wish you luck, as I know how upsetting it is!