Miggy Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 When one of our two hens died a couple of weeks ago we didn't want to let Mrs Doyle get lonely, so on advice we got a couple of ex-bats as they would be about the same age. The biggest ex-bat (Hatti) was attacked by Mrs Doyle as soon as Doyley saw her but being a big girl Hatti gave her what for back and whithin an hour was top hen. Now we come to the problem. Scrffy is small and has no tail feathers and is a total wimp. We have had issues with Scruffy that can be read in the clinic section if you are interested (Back from the dead). Hatti is ok with her but we are now two and a half weeks into the introduction and Doyley still hates her and attacks at every chance. They live in a walk in run that is 15 foot long. We have to divide the run for part of the day because if we dont Scruffy wont come out of the coop. The only time they mix is at bed time when Hatti sits between them for sleep and at treat time. We have tried sitting in the run and jabbing Doyley when she attacks hoping that she will think it is Scrffy hitting her back. We have tried Gentian Violet, anti peck spray, vasoline all to no improvement. Hatti has now started to take interest in Scruffy's new feather stubs as well. We are supposed to be going away in a week and we cant leave our chicken babysitter with this problem. Can anyone help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 With both of my sets of ex-batts, there has been one hen who has been very timid and shy and has hidden away in the coop away from the other hens. In both cases I have left them to it, put food and water in the coop for them so that they can eat and drink without the interference of the others and just given them time. For both girls, it took quite a few weeks, but they did gradually get braver and braver and started to join in with the flock. Top of the pecking order at the moment is Shannon, one of my newer ex batts who, when she arrived, was a very unhappy little hen with an extremely pale and floppy comb and lots of feathers missing. She really blossomed once she re grew all her feathers and I find it hard to believe she is now the boss, but only this afternoon I saw her putting one of the other girls in her place With time all will settle down with your hens, but for now as you have the worry of going on holiday and leaving the hens in the care of the chook-sitter why not pop a bumper bit on your bully girls? That will stop them physically being able to harm little Scruffy and give her a chance to grow some shiny new feathers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 Smashing outcome for your little one Lavenders Blue If it was me I would try and seperate the run while you are away. They'll still be able to see each other and socialise 'safely' but you'll have the piece of mind knowing there won't be bloodshed and carry on when you get back. If you can't divide the run then i would make sure there are a load of obstacles in the run away from the sides so that Scruffy is not always in view and can dodge away from the attacks or jump up. It just brings the agressors focus down from attack mode if they come across something in their way. Things like flowerpots, log, old stool, planks, pile of bricks, the odd hen house. Giving them a squirt of water when being agressive brings them down really quick as well. After a bit they only have to see your hand going for the spray and they are distracted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
