Eglu Cube Coop and Accessories

[thelurch]

Well, had our 5 girls 2 weeks now, they have been brilliant, going to bed on their own every night and being very quiet in the mornings and 2 started to lay after 10 days of getting them.

 

The only issue we have had is with top hen, we noticed her pecking another hen about 4 days ago, at first we thought it was a mutual preening thing until we noticed she was actually pulling the downy feathers above the others legs and pulling some out which she ate. Now everyday, usually mid afternoon she starts doing it. Only one other hen does a cursory peck back to her to stop her, the rest just stand there and let her do it

 

Its quite upsetting to watch, so after researching pecking on here I have seen various threads on this subject, but how common is it? Hands up if its an issue for you

 

I have read about stockholm tar, ukadex sprays etc and then read about bumper bits. As I read that the situation can develop quickly and others can start to copy the behaviour I decided to buy some from ebay (which are exactly the same as the pictures in the "bumpers guide" on here)

 

They came today, so this afternoon we wrapped the bully in a towel and armed with bumper and a pair of pointed pliers I took about 15 minutes and two attempts at getting the thing fitted. I then spent the next 2 hours watching and giving corn, worms etc to check that she could still drink and eat.

 

Immmediately all the other hens noticed her shaking her head while she got used to it, and they all came and pecked at the bit! but thankfully that soon stopped!

 

So how long do I keep it on for? Ive read 4 weeks to see if it breaks the pecking habit, but also that someone has left one on a hen for a year!

 

My other question relates to leg rings, I want to fit them as 4 of our 5 are so similar in appearance its so difficult to tell them apart, my son desperately wants to name them!. Also for health reasons, it would be good to know who is who when it comes to health checks.

 

Ive seen spring type ones and clip ones and various sizes in mms on ebay. Does anyone use these and if so which size?

We have Black Rhode Hybrids which are largish hens.

 

And those curry poos, how much do they stink!!!

[karena]

Yes I had a pecking problem, as you may have seen in recent thread. I am cautiously saying 'had' as I am now on day 5 of no pecking . I think the solution for me was putting them on mash instead of pellets, as they have more to occupy themselves, and a dose of stockholm tar. The tar has now worn of though, and the pecking is still gone so I still credit the mash. And maybe livening up the run with a branch to sit on and a flowerpot to hide behind. Didn't get as far as a bumper bit for me.

 

I found it really upsetting to watch

 

And yes those curry poos are horrendous! I can always tell when they have done one of those

[thelurch]

was it 5 days since you put the tar on and changed to layers mash?

Ours have mezzanine levels, branches and things hanging plus an old belfast sink with sand and compost for dustbathing which they love, one hen rolls around on her back for up to an hour kicking the sand into her feathers! so they shouldnt be too bored!

 

I felt a bit cruel putting the bit on, but as long as she still eats and drinks then Im happy, she tried to peck the others with it on but gave up as it just wasnt working like it did!

[karena]

Yes 5 days since I did all that and the pecking stopped instantly when I did it. Have been waiting for it to come back but so far so good

 

I think with the bumper thing, it may feel a bit cruel but the pecker is being way crueler.

[debbie9946]

what is this mash??? Is it home made?? or shop bought?? and what do you do with it??

[karena]

You can feed pellets or mash. Mash ground up, pellets are as they sound. You feed them the same, buy them the same etc. Have a google to see them, they're widely available.

[chickencam]

We had problems with our original hens, and we ended up fitting all but one of them with bumper bits. They probably had them for about 6 months, during which time they were replaced when they fell off which they do eventually, they wear through. We watched each hen when her bit came off to see if she could be trusted without it.

 

We now have 2 of our younger girls with bits, which they have had for a couple of months. There was a bit of feather plucking going on and a couple of bald bottoms.

 

I have found the bits to be an effective way to harmony, and once you get the knack of putting them on they are quite straight forward.

[thelurch]

We had problems with our original hens, and we ended up fitting all but one of them with bumper bits. They probably had them for about 6 months, during which time they were replaced when they fell off which they do eventually, they wear through. We watched each hen when her bit came off to see if she could be trusted without it.

 

We now have 2 of our younger girls with bits, which they have had for a couple of months. There was a bit of feather plucking going on and a couple of bald bottoms.

 

I have found the bits to be an effective way to harmony, and once you get the knack of putting them on they are quite straight forward.

 

Thanks for this reply, I am now happy that our hen with the bit on is eating and drinking, she laid an egg for us today so it can't be too bad and she can easily Hoover up fresh corn and dried mealworms!

 

Still tries to do the odd peck but it just doesn't work which makes me happier, we have put crushed down layers pellets in one of our two grubs and the girls seem to prefer that to pellets without question so I think we will change to mash once the current pellet supply has run out.

 

Thanks to everyone who has replied, still need a little guidance on the leg rings though

[Purplemaniacs]

Sorry Silly Question

 

Can I put mash in an Omlet grub or does it need a different feeder? Think I might try mine on mash as we have a feather pecking issue at times, thanks.

 

Chrissie

[karena]

Mine's in the grub. They of course flick it onto the floor but they they did it with pellets too. (I say they, but without naming names, its only Ava that feels the need )

[JanTheDiver]

I was going to go down the bumper bit route (didn't want to though), when someone told me about Stockholm tar.

 

Painted the girls a nice shade of sticky black last night and noticed my main pecker going to peck one of the others this morning but then thought twice about it

 

I have also been told that bumper bits will probably be illegal in about 2 years time, I do think they are awful but I know some people have had success with them.

 

I suppose it is whatever works that is worth it to stop the others getting pecked and sore

[Burtie14]

We were planning to seperate our pecker Ginger today, but got home to find that not only has poor Jim's bald patch tripled in size overnight, but Ginger now has a bald patch herself! So now we have Ginger pecking Jim, Betty pecking Ginger (and possibly Jim too), "Ooops, word censored!"ody daring to peck Betty, and Dusty currently keeping out of trouble but I imagine it's only a matter of time.

 

I really thought Betty had turned over a new leaf. This is my unhappiest day of chicken keeping!

[thelurch]

I was going to go down the bumper bit route (didn't want to though), when someone told me about Stockholm tar.

 

Painted the girls a nice shade of sticky black last night and noticed my main pecker going to peck one of the others this morning but then thought twice about it

 

I have also been told that bumper bits will probably be illegal in about 2 years time, I do think they are awful but I know some people have had success with them.

 

I suppose it is whatever works that is worth it to stop the others getting pecked and sore

 

I didn't want to do the bumper bit, but the hen in question doesn't seem to be experiencing any negative side effects.

 

I was going to use the tar or one of the smelly sprays, but our pecker would peck all over the other hens including the faces of the others so I really didn't fancy coating every hen from head to toe in smelly stuff, especially with our 4 year old picking the hens up regularly.

 

If they are made illegal soon, then I better stock up now.