Gertie Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 I cannot believe what has happened. I went away on Saturday and came back today. I left my partner looking after my happy hens & the cats. Alarm bells started ringing when he said there was blood on an egg. Although not due to return until Wednesday, I came speeding back as soon as the word 'blood' was mentioned in the same sentence as 'hens'. Thank goodness I did. I don't know why, but one of my hens had started vent pecking. My bluebell is dead, I had my Warren PTS as she was injured, my Maran has a bald bum but thankfully not wounded. The pecker is isolated away from the others. My partner said they were fine when he left for work. I have honestly tried so hard to do things right. The vet said 'that is in their nature'! I know that from reading books & posts on here. But, they have lots of space, perches, things to do. I feel so terrible that they have suffered in this way. Do they just turn on each other like this? I checked them over & there are no parasites. They didn't have any laying problems before. I am so sad I must be the worst chicken mummy ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 I'm so sorry for you, what an awful thing to come home to. I don't have any advice whether this is normal or not Don't blame yourself - you are not a bad chicken owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 How awful, I'm so sorry . Sadly, it is "normal" - I wonder if there was a little blood on your Bluebell's vent and the pecker homed in on it . Please don't feel guilty, it really isn't your fault. It's just one of those things that certain hens seem prone to to given the opportunity . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Sorry to hear it, there's nothing you could do - much as they are usually sweet little things, they still are little dinosaurs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Sorry to hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share Posted April 13, 2011 Thanks everyone. I can't help feeling awful for those poor birds. I don't know what to do now. I have 1 lonely maran with a bald bum in the cube, & 3 ex bats in the classic. Would it be silly to introduce them in a few days? Would the maran have devoped those tendancies too? I am around to watch for 2 weeks. I don't want any more bloodshed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 What a horrible thing to find Can your Marans see and hear the others? If so, she'll be fine for a while. I'd give her feathers a chance to regrow before integrating her with the others, but hopefully it will be okay. Do you have any purple spray for the Marans' bum to disguise the bare flesh? I've just read that you're there for the next two weeks. Can you maybe try some supervised temporary integration? Maybe let them all out together into the garden and see what happens, how they react etc. If it's not too painful, you could try it for a little longer each day until you're confident all is calm. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 I'd say the key to it is to gently integrate - they'll let you know when they're comfortable enough with each other to integrate. They'll make it obvious when they're all ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 What a horrible shock for you I hope your introductions go well- I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 I'm so sorry, what a terrible thing to happen. I don't know that it happens a lot but it is not unheard of sadly.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share Posted April 13, 2011 Thanks again everyone. I do have purple spray, Ive managed to get one squirt on her. Her bald bit is not red or inflamed in any way. If I introduce them I will cover the whole patch. She is directly next door and can see and hear the others. Ive been building up to introductions for months and I was planning to introduce them all together this week as I am on holiday. They are within touching distance anyway, the next step was to erect a bit of a chicken wire enclosure and let them out on neutral territory with supervision. Ive been monitoring today and the maran seems fine, she was happily dustbathing earlier. I might see what happens tomorrow and maybe I will introduce them. As the ex batts are still a bit threadbare, I don't think her bald bum will stand out too much as they have bald wings and other patches too. Thanks for all the kind words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Good luck with it, I'm sure you'll cope as you are at home for a bit. I'm so sorry to hear what happened it must have been so awful for you. Big hugs and don't blame yourself it just happens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share Posted April 13, 2011 Thanks Plum. Sorry to hear you lost your Grackle too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Thanks Gertie. I don't think the other girls will worry about exposed skin only if there is blood or vent inflamed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share Posted April 13, 2011 Thankfully I caught it in time before the pecker drew blood on that one, she just lost feathers. it's not red or inflamed. Im hoping that as they've been close neighbours they will be the best of friends in no time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
