3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[Salop Chuck]

Hi

I have been struggling with a feather pecking problem for about 3 months now which started for no apparent reason (that I could make out). One of my bantams, Lottie, appeared to be loosing feathers round her neck and to cut the the chase it turned out to be night-time feather-pecking by 2 of the other hens which then moved on to day time bullying activities while they free-ranged involving keeping her away from all the food stations I put out and repetitive nasty pecks at her neck and body which must have been painful because I could hear her cry out and run away for a short while. A month ago, Lottie became very traumatised by the bullying and needed to be separated to recover and feed herself up.

 

I have now put Bella, the main bully, in a separate eglu and run (which she hates and shouts in protest). She has been there for only 2 days and already, Lottie is relaxing and eating and behaving normally with the other 2 hens without any problems. During the day everything is fine and I thought I'd cracked it but tonight I witnessed the top hen (the other bully) twice attacking and chasing Lottie out of the eglucube coop at dusk so she couldn't settle down for the night in the safety of the coop. I had to put Lottie in a cat carrier inside the coop to keep her safe.

 

Sorry this is so long but it is quite complex and any advice on managing this situation would be most welcome. I do have anti-pecking spray but am reluctant to use it on an already traumatised hen who's struggling to grow her missing feathers back.

[sparkysmum]

Hello Salop Chuck, this sounds like a horrible situation for poor lottie and I'm not sure if there are any easy answers. Are there any ways to separate Lottie from the bullies on a semi permanent way so that she can regain her confidence There are one or two other possibilities. Firstly, as you are already doing, keep the bullies penned up for a few days. This MAY have the effect of changing the pecking order.

 

The other thing to consider is fitting a bumper bit to the bully hen/s see http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=22584 I have no experience of this myself but others have reported that fitting bits have really sorted things out.

 

Whatever you do I hope your hens are happy again soon Best of luck Alli

[Salop Chuck]

Hi

Thanks for your reply, Alli, outlining a few suggestions to resolve this problem. When I took Lottie to an expert chicken vet he seem to think that she had suffered a trauma from the bullying that had resulted in minor brain damage (the strange noises she make would certainly bear this out). I think the dominent, bossy hens have picked up on this so as you say there is no easy answer. The main bully (Bella) has been in her own separate eglu and run with a small enclosure for nearly 3 days. She is obviously stressed by being separate from the other hens but I want to keep her there long enough to change the pecking order - perhaps a week or so and then review the situation.

 

I did initially separate Lottie but she became very distressed being apart from the other girls, even though they gave her a hard time. Ultimately, if Lottie's life becomes unsustainable with the rest of the flock it may be more merciful to take her to the vet for euthanasia, especially as her brain damage is hampering her survival. I have not run out of options just yet. I am very attached to her and want her to have more time to heal and gain confidence.

[SteveC]

I would try a couple of bumpa bits on the offending girls - this will take the sting out of any attack and may lead to them not bothering as they don't get the results they expect.

 

I have one of my girls with a bumpa bit as she was de-feathering all the others. She still tries to have the occasional go, but doesnt get anywhere - I'm hoping she will lose interest entirely by the time the bit falls off. In the meantime, there are absolutely no problems with feeding / drinking whilst fitted with the bumpa bit.

 

So it might be worth a try to at least give your Lottie a reprieve. Hope this helps.

[sparkysmum]

Have just read what your vet said re Lottie, so sad Would it be possible for Amy & Lottie to live together with a little run just for them. At least that way Lottie would have company and be well away from Bella. Perhaps they could take turns free ranging Really hope you can resolve this. Alli x

[Salop Chuck]

Hi

Thanks SteveC for your reply. I have used bumper bits in the past and it does help but I live on my own and fitting them on the bullies would be too stressful for me and them!! Unfortunteately, Wernlas at Onibury, (3 miles away) is now closed so Shaun and Sue wouldn't be available to help fitting them as they have in the past.

 

I like your idea Alli, of putting the 2 Buffs together - that just might work. I'll give it a try tomorrow and keep you posted.

[Salop Chuck]

Hi All

Early in March I thought I would lose my Buff Rock Bantam, Lottie. Following a visit to a 'Chicken vet' and a course of Baytril and Baycox she perked up, started to eat and drink and steadily gained in confidence. I then made the decision to separate the bully, Bella, for a week. This gave Lottie a chance to reintegrate with the other 3 hens. When Bella rejoined the flock the bullying stopped and all was sweetness and light (well most of the time!).

 

This has highlighted the importance of having a vet with experience and knowledge to treat poultry. Unfortunately my local vet does not have this knowledge base. Had I not found a suitable vet to treat her I am sure she would not have survived. I am now happy to make a half hour car journey to have my hens treated by a suitable vet when they fall sick.