Eglu Cube Coop For Sale

[anoushka3005]

Hiya,

 

I've got three new ladies who arrived yesterday and have settled into the Eglu quite happily. They all came from the same farm, and the Bluebelle and Amber Lee were in the same enclosure, with lots of other of both breeds.

 

But my Bluebelle is constantly pulling feathers out of the Amber Lee - is this part of establishing the pecking order (the Amber Lee has a less red face so is a bit younger, and smaller than the Bluebelle.) rather than full on bullying? How long should I leave it till I take other measures, and which are the best to take? (other people here have sprayed the pecked hen/poked offender with a stick/sprayed water at the pecker.)

 

The Black Star doesn't seem to either peck or get pecked, so is maybe in the middle of the pecking order?

 

Apologies for all the questions, I hadn't appreciated how worrying it can be as a new chicken mummy!

[Tara.F]

get yourself some gentian violet spray

you can buy it in horsey type shops or online....maybe even at a pet shop. It will deter feather pecking (tastes vile) and also disinfect any little sore places.

 

Sorting out the pecking order is a rotten process and very hard to watch...but entirely necessary. I consider bullying to be when more than one hen single a weak one to gang up on.

 

Take action if blood is drawn. In the meantime, provide extra food and water stations (she can only guard one at a time) and consider hanging up a cabbage to give her something more rewarding to peck at

 

Good luck! x

[Blue-DiamondChick07]

I'm going through the same at the mo, not being pecked but my new girl getting the occasional nip, alot better than it was, hang in there

[anoushka3005]

Great, thanks! I'll sort out some extra containers and keep an eye out for blood!