treehousechicks Posted March 28, 2010 Share Posted March 28, 2010 We have eight birds - 6 hens, one cockerel and one not sure (long story) We noticed today that two of the hens (CC and Speedy) had a bald patch under their vent - no redness, neither of them seem bothered by it. They are both eating and drinking well. None of the others are affected. Picked them both up and had a really good look to check for any crwaly friends but nothing there. Our cockerel is quite amorous, but no more so with these two than the four others - and indeed the one who is unsure!!! CC is still laying (6 eggs in the last week, she has laid today and yesterday) but speedy has not laid for 2 days, although she has only just started to lay (we have only had 4 eggs from her so far) They all live in an Eglu, have the extension run on that and have a long 18 foot tube (which they love running up and down) to another run which is a 4x3 metre gazebo (affectionately called "chickingham palace".) We've not noticed any pecking but have noticed the feathers are both in the eglu and in the run. They all put themselves to bed and are generally let out around 7am weekdays but around 8pm on a Sunday. Anyone with any advice or ideas would be most greatful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 28, 2010 Share Posted March 28, 2010 You have eight living in an Eglu? Long term this might be problematic, even with an extended run, as there will be queues for the nest box. Could be that someone is nibbling the feathers. Why not apply some anti peck spray to the affected birds and see if it helps. Might be worth putting a cabbage in the run for them to peck at if they are bored. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treehousechicks Posted March 29, 2010 Author Share Posted March 29, 2010 Thanks for that - having read on in the forum thats exactly what I did last night - on the space issue I have also got a cube which is attached to chickingham palace for laying as although all the omlet catalogues say the eglu can be for up to 10 I had that concern of queing to lay too. Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 10 are fine in a cube with adequate run space. I thought you were saying you had got them in an Eglu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treehousechicks Posted March 29, 2010 Author Share Posted March 29, 2010 no sorry got wrong names - one cube and an extra "go" in case of queing!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Phew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
