Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[hunkydoory]

Hello all,

 

Two questions:

1. After only one double yolker in 4 years from my previous 2 girls, I have had 3 in one week (all from Cookie, resident bully) are some chickens more likely to lay them than others?

 

2. Cookie again - I put a bumper bit on her today, not as easy as it seems I thought that I had it in her nostrils and not on the skin but she managed to flick it off with her within a minute Any advice?

[Egluntyne]

You need to make sure that the prongs of the bits go firmly into the nostrils. You might have to jiggle the bit about a bit to get it in the right place.

 

Using straight circlip pliers makes the job much easier.

[The Dogmother]

Aim for the back of the nostrils nearer the eyes

[hunkydoory]

Think I've cracked it Bumper bit now in place and she hasn't flicked it out yet

Hopefully this will put an end to her feather plucking ways

[The Dogmother]

Well done

 

If you don't get it far back enough in the nostril, then there's a bit of skin just inside the nostril which stops the bit from fitting properly, then it's easy for them to hook a toe in it and rip it out