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pjagraham161

...pecking order....

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Hi - recently we have taken on x4 hybrid hens that seem well at home in their new Eglu Cube and 3m run.....however, one seems to be the 'mother hen' and is forever pecking at x2 hens in particular; she has reduced the behind of one of them to fluff where there was once feathers.....is this normal? The x2 hens in the firing line seem to be used to this now and just take it, but I am not sure that this can be good for them. Incidentally, within the last 24 hrs we have had our first eggs (x2 of them) but cant be certain which hen(s) they have come from....will this pecking problem reduce or stop egg laying??

 

3 wks into this and I am loving it. The hens each seem very content and are happy to run up to us and stoop, ready for being picked up and cuddled!! They have certainly brightened up our garden! :-) PG

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Thanks for the advice. It seems to be 'normal' for the hens as the recipients aren't really that bothered!! I will look into the 'anti-pecking' spray - thanks for the heads-up!

 

They are very content as a group though - very inquisitive and gaining in confidence by the hour. We had x2 eggs this morning - so we must be doing something right! Contemplating another couple of hems to add to our group.......I have read this 'morehen' disease - it is very contagious........ :-)

 

PG

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Hi ya, we have just introduced three new hens onto one old hen we got as our other two died, one last year and the other last week. Our old hen Matilda keeps pecking the others which is normal but I can't bear it, so I have applied some anti-peck spray on the newbies and I hoping this will help.

 

They have managed to get something to eat and drink, it's not been that bad but it's still horrible :(

 

I hope you get on well with yours and find the anti peck spray helps.

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The only thing that I have found to work (without resorting to a bumper bit) is Ukadex. Stinky, horrible colour, particularly if you have a white hen! Combined with purple horsey spray so the skin does not look red you end up with a multi-coloured hen, however one which the feathers do grow back on at least. :mrgreen:

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I am sure it is easier to raise children........ :lol:

 

...Ours are roaming around the garden and seem to be enjoying their freedom! It is great how they just put themselves to bed, mind you - and Meg our Terrier seems to be right at home with them too!! All happy and content - until back in the run and the game of who can eat the most feathers...from each other...begins!!

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well - its a small world.......I don't know of many people at RAF Marham who has chooks, so it could be :P

 

Forgive my ignorance - but what is a DS? Anyway - happy to babysit for each other - pass on my details!!

 

DS is(Darling Son) he dosen't have chooks now himself he was refused permission to take them to Marham when posted there 2 years ago I know the rules have changed now as one of his neighbours keeps chickens

PM (Private Message ) me is you want DS address you could work out from there who has the chooks :)

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:eh: I wondered if someone might explain what is going on with my girls?

There does not seem to be a pecking order - just one hen who is a bully to one other...

Nelly the Welsummer is the bully - and she just seems to pick on Lulu the Vorwerk who is the smallest, "Ooops, word censored!"iest and friendliest of the lot ( Lulu even goes right up to the Labrador and gives him the odd peck...)

 

When I throw a handful of treats on to the grass, Nelly does not rush in and start eating but patrols around the outside of the girls as if she is supervising the sharing out of the treats - then she chases Lulu off so she cant have any ..

 

Can anyone explain this behaviour? None of the other hens seem at all intimidated by Nelly ....

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