Chicken boarders

[grageomat]

Im not sure what's been happening but i just went out to check on hens and there was a load of feathers in the run they look like Penelope's feathers but as she is the boss i cant see her being picked on, when i was out i seen Bellina eating the feathers and then chasing after Ezmerelda and pecking at her im now worried Bellina has a taste for feathers! Would she be pecking them out of the other chickens? or would Penelope have pulled them out herself?

I dont want my poor chickens stressed! Does this happen a lot?

 

Grant

[Chucky Mama]

Could one be moulting? When one of mine moulted the garden looked like there had been a fox attack there were so many feathers around.

[grageomat]

hmmm possibly i hadnt really thought of that. But its a bit weird that there was none and then there was about 10 an hour later. Ill be gutted if im not looking after them properly ive only had them a week maybe im panicking

 

Grant

[Chucky Mama]

There could well be some bullying going on, I would keep a discreet eye out.

[grageomat]

eeeek i just heard a commotion and caught Bellina with a load of feathers in her mouth and Ezmerelda's vent area is starting to look a bit sp"Ooops, word censored!"! How do i stop her From pulling her feathers out any ideas?

[legend21]

bumper bits from Wernlas, or anti peck spray, or using a water gun on the offending bully but my money is on the bumper bits

 

Jackie

[grageomat]

ok thanks for that much appreciated, im just worried for little Ezmay

[veggiemad]

Hi

 

Ditto what legend 21 says. We had loads of bullying from one hen in particular when we first got them- they had me in tears!! I used johnsons anti peck spray, and also got a water gun ready if i could catch the bully in the act . Also have some purple spray to hand incase they draw blood- it is and antiseptic as well as a dye so they dont peck at the red blood-.

 

I also made sure there were plenty of food and water stations out, so one hen couldn't guard them all.

 

I'm sure others will have more tips for you

It does settle down , and they will be a joy.

 

Hope it all sorts itself out very soon.

[grageomat]

thank you, so far this morning seems good they have 2 feed stations but just one water station but i have ordered a super glug so there will be 2 stations soon.

This morning i put a CD in run dangling from a perch incase its down to boredom (not that i would think a CD would do much but its what all my books say lol)

I think i need to let them out to FR so they have more space to move incase one turn on the other (but my garden hasn't been chicken proofed yet) i'll need to get into action and sort it out.

I'll invest in the spray to begin with as i'm not so keen on the look of those bumper bits but if spray doesn't work then i'll have to try it as don't want hens in bits!

 

Thanks again for advice Grant.

[Chucky Mama]

Well done Grant I am sure they will settle.