Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Doodle-do]

Hi there! I have a 1-legged hen (long story, not the problem I'm concerned abt!) who's been relentlessly bullied by her younger nephew (he's just over a year old and definitely puts the cock in cockerel!!) His tactics have so far been to starve her, exclude her from the group (5 in total) and peck at her (despite using anti pecking spray)...this has resulted in a skinny, depressed and straggly looking hen Since we know she's a fighter (judging from the loss of a leg and her previous condition) we've decided to give her the best care we know how...

She's currently on antibiotics and anti inflammatories from the vet in case of infection. I'm giving her poultry tonic in her water and she's having a layers pellet/ mixed corn/ poultry spice/ grit/ marmite on small pieces of bread combo to eat ad lib.

She's not had much energy since the cockerel's starvation diet has worked so well so we've kept her separate in an old mesh cat box with towels and a hot water bottle...she comes to the stables with us during the day (so our dog and cats at home don't get an opportunity to "meet" her) and then comes home at night to sleep in our nice warm basement with the box wrapped in an old duvet for extra snugglyness!

Amazingly after just 2 days she's really perked up and has gone from sitting looking cold and miserable on the vet's table on Wednesday to hopping round our laundry room (told you she's a fighter!!) When and if she recovers we're able to make a separate area for this hen and her buddy to live in so the cockerel will no longer be an issue.

Now you know the background of it all (phew!!)...I'd just like to know if there's anything else I can possibly do to help my hen recover? I've read that fat balls for wild birds aren't good for domestic chucks since they're generally better fed...but would a skinny hen like mine benefit? I'm trying to give her the best chance of recovery that I possibly can but don't want to overload her with goodies at the same time!! Any advice would be brill!! Thanks xx

[Egluntyne]

I'd keep her permanently apart from the cockerel from now on (he is only doing his job in excluding what he has identified as a weak hen out of the breeding group.) Once she has put on a bit of weight, I'd keep her on a normal diet. She will maintain her weight once the bullying is no longer an issue.

 

I wouldn't give her the fat balls.

[Doodle-do]

Thanks for your advice she's making good progress everyday and is definitely looking brighter...am spending tomorrow sorting out her new run where David Peckham can't get to her!!! The big hen hut is known as "Cluckingham Palace"...think the new pad mite have to be called "Hensington" ha!!! Thanks again xx

[Egghead68]

Glad to hear she is doing well.