Luvachicken Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Ooooooooooooo, she has been such a moody mare today. Poor Queenie has had it in the neck today - literally - she has feathers missing now on both sides of her neck and Suzie has some missing too. It's more that they are in the wrong place at the wrong time and get a serious peck at the neck from Melody. It's not nice to see. They have apples and sprouts and aren't bored - it's not that sort of pecking. How can I put anti peck spray on their neck ? Last time I put it anywhere near a girly's head she spent the next 1/2 hour walking backwards (not nice). I know they are probably just sorting out their pecking order but they have been fine since I put them together until now. Any advice ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I totally know what you mean!!! Since Monty died I've been having Milly (who always was a noisy, moody madam and bottom girl!!) picking on the babies...even her own timid daughter!!!GRR! But she has been settling down as they are (2 out of 3 anyway) laying with lovely red faces! This seems to alter their place in the pecking order. Both she and Molly are not laying again yet. I did see her going for poor Martha while they were FR this afternoon, for NO reason and yes it's often the neck too. She's lucky that they are so sweet, they just run away from her and try to stay out of her way!!! I'm going to employ my secret weapon soon.......a new cockerel!! Fergus will be joining us soon. I've been holding off as I was worried about Molly and her moult and shaken by Monty's sudden death. Once he's intergrated they will all have to tow the line! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 13, 2013 Author Share Posted January 13, 2013 Yeah, mine do try to get out of the way, but not always possible. Melody has got really grumpy since she has started to lay her eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Have you tried your water pistol therapy?? Maybe try and give her a "time out"? When I first added the babies to the group I let the big chickens out and left the babies shut in the run so that they could have a break and to eat without hasstle, as even with 3 food stations they were being chased!! Prehaps let the vitims out to FR and shut up Melody with a companion in the run??? Just idea. The whole pecking order thing is hard to watch and it seems to change and not stay constant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 13, 2013 Author Share Posted January 13, 2013 They don't seem to squabble over the food. It's more kind of up close and in the space, especially if there is a miniscule crumb of nothing to fight over. I have tried to sit in the run and kind of tell Melody off but she really isn't bothered and just carries on. I thought it was worse when I gave them treats but actually they didn't have any while I was watching them from the kithcen window earlier. I think I will fish out the water pistol again and maybe do a bit of separating as I can split the 2 runs. Chicken life is never simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Chicken life is never simple. Sadly it would seem you sre SO right!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
