Cube Mark One Run

[sage]

Had 7 girls for 5 days, Mavis is the smallest and the least feathered. Betty (the boss) chases her none stop, jumping on her and having a good go at her neck. The other girls have a go now and again. Sprayed her with Anti pecking tar last night but Hubby just phoned to say he had to break them up. Poor Mavis has her head perminantly down and scrurried from one corner to the next. Even when she hides in the cat carrier they go in after her. She is starting to spend more and more time on her own in the eglu or in the cat carrier. She looks so unhappy. Getting food & water is not easy for her but she is eating & drinking

I read to isolate the bully (Betty) will it be ok to shut her in the eglu with food and water for Friday while I'm at work 10 hours, or am I been cruel? will it be better to seperate the run but how much room for 1 hen will 3feet*3feet be ok

 

Feeling so bad for Mavis, begining to think she would have been better off not been rescued.

 

Sage

[Egluntyne]

I wouldn't shut her in the Eglu, in case the weather turns hot, and the others will want to use the nest box. I'd try putting out extra feeders and drinkers so that she can't man them all, as food issues often trouble ex-batts at first. They have had to fight for every morsel before they were released.

 

If that doesn't work, I'd isolate her as you suggest. 3 ft x 3 ft is a great deal more than she had in the battery cage.

[Mollie333]

Can't give any more advice than whats been given.

But i'm sure she is better off having your love than being in the battery cages, or even worse, dead.

[sage]

Betty is in jail. She went in for a few hours last night and Mavis managed to have a good feed but she wouldn't come out this morning.

Betty is in jail again she has a nesting box food & water. Any advise as to how long to leave her on her own.

 

 

sage

Edited May 28, 2010 by Guest

[Egluntyne]

A few days. She has plenty of room there, and she has company, just at a safe distance.

[sage]

Getting very worried about little Mavis,

the other chickens have now decided to bully her as well.

Not just an odd peck but full scale persecution.

Mavis will not come out of the eglu,

I have just put some food & water in for her and she was very hungry and thirsty but too scared to come out.

Do know how much more of this Mavis can take.

Sage

[Egluntyne]

Here's a thought. Why not put Mavis in the little section you have created, and the others, who are more robust on the other side. She will be able to eat and drink without interruption and this may help her to put on a bit of weight and stand up for herself.

[sage]

Thanks Egluntyne

I was thinking that myself, but was worried about isolating her even more but I think it is the only option. Just put the girls to bed and while i had a poo pick I let Mavis go in the garden and she ate loads bless her and she still gave me a egg today.

 

Sage