2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[Lapinou]

We have two chickens in an eglu. We've had them for about 2 years now. Princess Aurora (don't ask!) seems to be the underdog, and has been pecked mildly round her neck for ages now by Wendy, without it getting worse.

 

However, this evening, I've just been sitting inside with the patio door half open, and with a sleeping baby on my lap. I heard a chicken making a strange noise and, worrying that it is a fox or a cat, I put the baby down and rush outside, to find Wendy pecking at Princess Aurora's vent and Princess Aurora clearly being in some pain each time. I rushed in to get a pot of water to chuck at Wendy to stop her, only to come back to find she'd cornered Princess Aurora in the eglu

 

They both came out, and I chucked the water at Wendy as she tried to peck again, noticed her beak was bloody, and quickly shut her in the eglu when she ran in there away from the water. Princess Aurora's vent is very slightly bloody, but I can't check her properly because I have the baby on my own at the moment. When DH gets back, I'll get him to go and check her, and she's at least safe from Wendy for the moment. But they both clearly want to start roosting.

 

What do I do? I don't have any way of isolating them - no animal carriers, or even cardboard boxes! Help!

[Egluntyne]

Any garden canes?

 

You could try something like this:

 

 

I'd spray the pecked hen with anti peck spray as soon as you can, (Olbas Oil would do until you can get some - not on broken skin though) And I'd consider putting a bumper bit on the aggressor if she persists.

[Lapinou]

Yes, I can do that with some garden canes - have plenty.

 

Anti-peck spray doesn't work in the slightest

 

Will order some bumper bits. What can I do about tonight? How do I separate them overnight?

[Egluntyne]

Can you get one into the Eglu and close the door. The other one will have to take its chance in the run, but it should be safe.

 

The weather here is frightful. If it is the same where you are, I'd rig a cove over the run, if you haven't already got one in place.

[Lapinou]

Yes, Wendy (the baddie!) is shut in the eglu. We've put a shoe rack in the run, covered the run with a blanket and the end with some cardboard, so she's got a dark, slightly sheltered place to roost tonight. In the morning we'll make a cane guard and hope it works until the bumper bits arrive! I've just ordered them now - actually it's the rings from the domestic wildfowl trust as I think they'll get here quicker.

 

Phew! Feel like we have a workable plan now.

 

The weather here is pretty pants, but it's not cold, thankfully, and the run already has a waterproof cover over it all. And at least it's happened now, and not while we're on holiday for my poor friend to deal with!

 

What will the chicken in the end of the run do for laying in the day time, if one of them is at the eglu end? Will she lay in a shallow flower pot if I put one in for her, with some shredded paper in?

[Egluntyne]

That sounds a good idea re the plant pot.

 

It might be worth you giving the 'victim' a thorough health check. Often the dynamics change when one becomes ill. They can mask it from us, but their companions pick up on it and can be pretty beastly.

[Lapinou]

We give them weekly health checks and nothing is showing up at all I don't think she's right though - she hardly lays at all now, and often seems to lay soft shelled eggs.

[Egluntyne]

Maybe she needs worming?

[Lapinou]

Will ask my DH when he last did it - he had been doing it regularly when I last checked. He's in charge of feeding etc. I hope it is that, as that'll be easily sortable!