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[Rolo Rabbit]

Hi everyone - I've not been on here for ages but I would really value your advice on what has become a tricky situation. We had 4 hens a few months ago but unfortunately one was attacked by the dog next door and died and another was taken by a fox. We're left with our oldest hen, Babs (probably nearly 4 years old), who is not a nice girl and has also not laid a decent egg in months and Harriet who is very sweet but hasn't been laying well recently, probably just because of the shorter days or maybe she's about to moult.

We would love to get more hens but Babs is such a bully that we can't inflict her on any new girls because she would just peck them to bits like she has every other new hen we've ever had. Poor Harriet constantly has a bare bottom. We used to regularly get 4 eggs a day but now it's maybe one a week? I know this sounds horrible but the ideal thing for us would be to get rid of Babs but we don't know how to - we can't give her to anyone else as she would probably do the same to their hens but neither can we bring ourselves to finish her off.

Does anyone have any bright ideas - we're really missing our home-laid eggs.

Ps I can't remember how to get rid of the icons at the bottom!

[Tweety]

You could try separating them and introducing some new girls to Harriet, letting them bond and form a pecking order before reintroducing Babs who will have lost her place as top chook and might be less aggressive.

However, that's a bit of a gamble tbh, and very stressful for all concerned with 2 sets of introductions, and in view of the fact that Babs is quite elderly I would probably wait until she is no longer around and then get some new POL girls to keep Harriet company.

Either that, or keep 2 separate flocks until Babs has passed on. Sorry I can't be more helpful

[Rolo Rabbit]

We wondered about doing that but, like you, thought all the introductions would be a nightmare. Babs shows no signs of passing on unfortunately! We've had some really lovely hens and each time they've been the ones to get caught. Mind you the dog next door did get Babs once but she's so feisty she fought him off and recovered! You have to admire her.

[Snowy]

They don't get to be that age by not fighting back do they? Bless her!

Have you tried a bumper bit? She would still terrorise them, but at least she wouldn't be able to inflict any damage. It may be worth a go, if you aren't keen on the alternative.

[Rolo Rabbit]

We haven't tried a bumper bit yet, Snowy. We were going to last year when we got our newbies but I read several accounts on here of them falling off or being very difficult to fit. That may be our only option though. If they really work then I'm happy to give it a go.

[Rolo Rabbit]

I've been looking on-line for where to get a bumper bit but the place that everyone recommends (Wernlas?) has now closed down so does anyone know an alternative seller?

[purple hen]

They are in the Omlet shop at 15p.

[Rolo Rabbit]

Thank you! Didn't think of looking there!

[jennydavies]

We had a really nasty bullying girl called Ginger, we rehomed her with one of our neighbours and her personality changed overnight. She took a liking to our neighbours young son and followed him everywhere, sat with him for cuddles and became a perfect chicken.