Chickencrazy Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Hi there, I'm completely new to chickens, forums and anything else that I've become involved in over the past 2 weeks!! However help is needed. We bought 4 chickens last week (2 black rock and 2 bluebells). Initially there was a little pecking and after all the reading I'd done I knew this was 'normal'. Being back at work this week has proved much more trying. On getting home tonight, one of the bluebells had obviously been being pecked all day. She had a bare patch on her back and blood had been drawn. I know that this will attract the other birds to continue to attack. We've treated the wound with stockholm tar (as recommended by where we bought them from) and put her back in with the others. They are still pecking at her, although not at the wound so I went back out again and bought anti-peck spray. This doesn't seem to be having too much impact. I have lots of questions and any advice/help would be appreciated: 1. Will the others attack her during the night or will she be safe in the eglu? 2. Should we separate her from the others (although there is one ringleader, the others also seem to be pecking at her too) 3. Will she always be pecked? I've read in some places that once they've attacked like this she will always be picked on. 4. What should we do? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerlily Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Hi there and welcome this is a brill forum and has so many lovely chooklovers! I am so sorry to hear about your bluebelle I had exactly the same problem with my Bluebelle Betty. It was my Blackrock Mabel who was chief culprit I eventually had to get a bumper bit for her beak and I used Gentian Violet on Betty's tail feathers and bald bit - with her purple tail feathers she looked like a showgirl lol! I can laugh now, but I was in tears every day at the time... Anyway, it seemed to stop after a year or so and Betty is all fully feathered and Mabel is chilled out now - they are now three years old and all very happy together! Bumper Bits can be effective, but I remember someone posting on here about an injury caused by using them and the hen had to be put to sleep so I would only use it as a last resort. Others have separated the bully/bullies for a while. Hopefully, they are just sorting the pecking order out and it won't last long ... you have come to the right place here! Take care x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Sorry can't really help, but do they have enough room? (run wise) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickencrazy Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 I don't think at the moment they do. They've currently got a 2m run. The extension is arriving tomorrow and the plot of the garden that will be there free roaming area will be finished tomorrow so they should have plenty more space. I think I just got a bit over-excited when the eglu arrived and now my poor lady is paying the price. Will she be ok tonight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I would think so they go doozy and sleep. I would listen in to the Eglu and see if all is quiet. If there is a problem I would remover the bully and isolate her for a bit, if you don't have a spare coop (worth getting one) you could use a cat box, dog crate or rabbit hutch, just for a while. This will give a chance for the pecking order to change hopefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickencrazy Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 Thank you. All seems calm at the moment, but they just change so quickly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Tea Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I have had a problem recently introducing one chicken to another but in my case it was slightly easier because it was just one on one...... and the anti-pek did seem to help. It might be that they are attacking her in the morning before you open the Eglu up and let them out into the run (that's what was happening in my coop), my solution has been to keep the coop door open overnight so that at least the victim can escape in the morning and has more room to get away. If your run is secure enough that might help. Hopefully after your pen is finished and they have some more space they will be too busy foraging to pick on her so much . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I'd do as chuckmum6 says and just listen out to see if it's all calm! Hopefully when they get more room and an area to free range they will have better things to do like scratching about than pecking the bluebell! Hope all goes alright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickencrazy Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 Thanks for that. I'll try that tonight although I don't think it is happening in the coop (or at least it hasn't been). But giving her the space to escape will definitely be a good idea. Thank you so much - I just don't know what to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Welcome to the forum . Sorry you're having bullying problems . Sometimes isolating the bully rather than the victim can work (if your setup allows it). If you are around & see the bullying happen, a small squirt with a water pistol can distract the ones doing it. It will get better. I had one poor girl who was picked on but all is peaceful now . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henchanted Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Hi I agree with previous posts about run space. My 4 started in 2m run for a couple of days, then what a relief when the extension arrived but it still wasn't enough and now at 4 metres, finally peace has broken out. Mine have limited f/r opportunities so its made a big difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Welcome to the forum . Sorry you're having bullying problems . Sometimes isolating the bully rather than the victim can work (if your setup allows it). If you are around & see the bullying happen, a small squirt with a water pistol can distract the ones doing it. It will get better. I had one poor girl who was picked on but all is peaceful now . Just to say our own experience is that the power of a water pistol is amazing. These days we use it to keep our goldline out of our kitchen...you don't even need to spray it...just show it to her. I hope things resolve for you x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pips_pekins Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Hi. I am new to chicken keeping as well and I have had a similar problem although thankfully so far no blood. Something you might try if you haven't already is providing them with places to escape up onto. I have used an old broom handle cut to size and secured it in the run. Also hanging up cds might distract them. I hope they settle down soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 I'm so new to chickens I've still not got 'em. I love all the pre-getting advice on here............already bought in anti-peck and just about everything else......'just in case' With a bit of luck, my WIR will be up next week and the chooks will soon follow....................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
