paulad Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 Bumpa Bit now fitted It went on really easily actually but I do feel sorry for the poor chuck But hopefully it will teach her to be kinder to her mates and stop eating their feathers. The poor ex bats don't have many feathers to start with !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted October 18, 2013 Author Share Posted October 18, 2013 will see defo be able to eat and drink thru it though - been watching her and not sure she can !? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 She'll get the hang of it. Fear not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Ebony had to have a bumpa bit and as Egluntyne says she will get the hang of it. Ebony was one of my first chooks and she and her bumpa bit lived very happily for some time until the bumpa bit broke and fell off. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted October 19, 2013 Author Share Posted October 19, 2013 thank you that's reassuring - she seems to be getting used to it - we gave her some porridge this morning as we were worried she wasn't eating but I think she is fine !! lets hope it works now !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted October 22, 2013 Author Share Posted October 22, 2013 We dont think the Bumpa Bit girl is eating - its been fitted for a few days now - she never eats when she comes out in the morning and we have seen her attempt to eat later in the day but not manage it Any ideas ?? should we just stick with it a little longer ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 She must be eating or she'd be dead by now, check that you have it on properly.. the nostril bits should be at the back of the nostril (nearest the eyes) not at the front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 haha well thats reassuring !! haha i hand feed her some peas last night and she had a few - i personally just think she is in a sulk !! I will check tonight about the nostrils though - thanks very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 They usually strop for a bit then get on with it. If the bit is positioned correctly then she shouldn't be able to claw it out. Takes a little while for them to get used to eating with it in place, but it's better than losing the other hen, which is what could happen if feather pecking is left un-checked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 No she hasnt been able to claw it out and it has been on a fair few days now. We are wondering now if the other POL is doing it too as there are still lots of feathers in the coop in the morning BUT this hen also has feathers pecked from her back so we originally assumed it was Matilda doing it. The exbats dont seem to have lost anymore feathers on their backs but they now have bald patches on their throats - really not sure whats going on at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 They may also be moulting; my flock has all moulted over the last month and there are feathers everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 We only had the POLs in June - didnt think they were meant to moult yet ?? Are the exbats likely to be moulting do you think - obviously we only got them 3 weeks ago so no idea on age but i guess there are around 12-18months.. oooh i do love my chucks but there is SO much to learn Thanks for all your help The Dogmother x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 The newbies may well moult this autumn, but just a small moult; the general rule of thumb is that if they were hatched before the longest day, then they will moult that autumn. Those hatched after that day probably won't. As I said, this is just a rule of thumb though. New ex-batts may well moult, and they will grow through a new set of feathers more suited to their new surroundings. Support them in this with some good poultry tonic in their water and add a tablespoon of Biotin powder (NAF make this as horse feed) to about 2 litres of pellets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 Great - thank you once again i will go and investigate poultry tonic and Biotin powder we already put cider vinegar in water - shud we put tonic in too or just the tonic on its own thanks for your time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 You only need ACV roughly once a week, just use the tonic on the other days; Life-Guard or the NetTex liquid tonic are both very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 The Dogmother We refitted the bumpa bit - changed it so it was slightly higher (near her eyes) - we did give "old grumpy" a few mealworms inbetween removal and refit and she gobbled them down - she refused them again once refit was complete !! Then she went off to sulk - so we will see how it goes tomorrow thanks for all your help today xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted October 24, 2013 Author Share Posted October 24, 2013 Yay sulky girl is now eating and drinking with her bumpa bit on, such a relief ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 There's not much that will keep them from eating for long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...