gavclojak Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Really worried, one of my girls has been attacked by one or all of the other girls. I don't know what happened, all seemed ok half an hour before when I went out to them and I have been sitting by my window ironing. I went out to give them a treat and realised one of the girls had been brutally attacked. Both top parts of her wings were bleeding and one other chicken had blood on her beak. I have removed her, washed her down, she still looks very sore. I have given her something to eat and have popped her in a straw lined box. She seems ok and has eaten some treats. I have sprayed with antiseptic spray. What do I do now. Leave her out the way? How long for? There doesn't seem to be any reason for the attack. Have had them six months, they all seem happy enough. What do I do next Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Oh dear - its shocking isnt it. my lot attacked one of ours and it was shocking to come home and find her sooo poorly. We had a reason for ours though - she was poorly and they obviously knew and were picking on the weak. We had to have her PTS but that was because of the illness not the attack. Is your girl likely to be poorly and u havent realised - chickens do hide it very well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Sometimes they just take against one who they perceive as weak. Have you used purple spray? That disguises the colour of blood and sometimes is all that is needed, but given the extent of her injuries I'd keep her separated, but in sight of the others, till it's healed. You may need to take her to the vet if the wounds look particularly deep. I have Babs who is 4, and she has always been picked on by the big ones. The only solution has been to separate her into another pen, where she lives happily with one other. In your case, once she's healed, you may be able to re-introduce her, but you'll have to go slowly. They aren't related to dinosaurs for nothing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 I called BHWT who said dress with the purple spray and then cover with a thick layer of sudo cream, which I have done she then said let them free range together....I have done this and all looks ok for the minute, they are not really taking any more notice than usual to be honest. I was also advised to not leave her our of the flock for too long as it will be really hard for her to get back in. Her wounds look more superficial that anything just a tad sore I expect. Will keep them free ranging till bedtime and let them out first thing in the morning and see how things go tomorrow. Any more advice would be welcomed and thank you......I can't even look at princess layer at the moment I am so disappointed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Viscious attacks are nasty aren't they My 2 nasties managed to draw blood on poor Queenie and then about 10 minutes later on Gemma, on the tops of their heads, there was blood everywhere. Keeping your injured one in sight of the others is a good idea. That way she can recover in peace and you will notice if she shows any other symptons of illness more easily, and also reintroduction will be easier. If you know who the culprit was then you could put a bumpa bit on her and then maybe future attacks might not draw blood. I hope things settle down for you again soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 (edited) Oh dear. I Am horrified, I did what BHWT advised and they pottered in the garden, she went off to lay an egg then came out for a little while, one had a quick peck but nothing more and they had a mooch around the garden. She has gone back to the cube nest box and just seems to be sitting there. Should I take her out or just leave her. Should I bring her indoors and let her sleep in a box. BHWT thought not as they may not accept her back. ?? What a nightmare I really thought I had got away with any nasties Edited November 7, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 have u got a cat carrier or something that u cud let her sleep in but put it in the walk in run ??? (that's if you want to keep them separate tonight) Bumpa bit as suggested is also a good idea - one of ours has a bumpa on due to her feather eating - its done the trick for now good luck xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 Thank paulad Gosh I really thought I had this chicken keeping sorted...apparently not...ok so she pottered around with the girls, Sho got the odd peck but nothing too bad, they all went odd to bed and she was the last one in, the big bully stood guard and gave her a dig on the way in but I stayed and watched and all settled down within about 10 seconds flat. I stood behind the cube in the dark and after the usual moving around...silence....I am hoping I have done the right thing, she is the lowest ranking girl and if she is out for any length of time I am worried they won't let her back, and I don't really want two tribes!! How did this start? Why did it start..? So random, they have everything they want or need, but so savage..... Poor solo, looks a sorry state covered in purple spray, the blobbed with sudocrem and finished off with a dose of anti-peck spray..... What more can I do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 you have done all you can do - I would just suggest to get up early and make sure they are out and about as soon as possible. There shudnt be any nonsense overnight. Its hard but its all part of the great chicken keeping life. Just keep an eye on them and see what happens. Constantly learning that for sure - I guess because u have had no problems so far start its more of a shock and seems so random. Cos we have had constant problems from the start things don't faze me as much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 Thanks....in your experience do these things usually get resolved quickly? I am off work until Monday so can keep a close eye but what was really shocking was all this happened while I was home and I had checked them like half an hour before.....shocking....will they have forgotten about it by morning and should I take a torch our to check or just listen?? I don't want to disturb them too much and start a war in there!!! Poor hen solo, solo by name now solo by nature!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 oooh don't get me wrong I still consider myself a newbie that's for sure ! but nothing surprises me with chickens anymore !! I wouldn't bother them tonight - once they are in and sleepy/sleeping I doubt anything will happen. I would try and let them out in the morning as soon as possible though just incase Just keep an eye on them tomorrow - it was like all out war when we introduced our newbies to the old uns - you just feel terrible for them. Might just have been a one of attack but because it drew blood it might have made the others join in as they are attracted to it Lots of luck and keep us posted - sure someone more experienced will come along with some advice. It usually best to remove the bully if needs be, bring them down a peg or too...Let them all free range as much as poss then at least she can get away if she needs to xx Hopefully it will all be fine xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 Thanks again paulad....I think if I remember correctly we started this journey about the same time... What is strange as well is they are in a 35 square foot enclosure so loads of places to run and hide... Just don't understand it, but as you say they are strange things. Just been out to have a listen and all is quiet, tho odd movement but nothing I am worried about, didn't open the cube thought... What is hard for me I think I have had it so easy so this seems like the end of the world...OH threatening to send poor solo to nando's......he will go first!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 yes we did start at the same time and yes it must be so awful for you when all has been well for so long. We on the other hand have had one thing after another I just say "bring it on" now Wouldn't change any of it though... Ur sure the picked on one isn't poorly and just hiding it ? Sure it will all be fine xxx Bet u don't sleep tonight though BHWT are brilliant aren't they x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 I don't think she is poorly, no weight loss, eating/drinking fine happily pottering etc....she was the ex batt who had really poor feather coverage, BHWT think that when the new feathers are coming through they taste nice and they are once they have had a go they all tend to pile in and have a peck....they were really good on the phone, so that's reassuring. Have just been out again and all is quiet, will be up really (as per) and will let them out, to be honest I am usually up before them.....fingers crossed.....say a little prayer for me:))) XxX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 aww their feathers are coming thru then - same as ours - they were all baldy when we got them a month ago but they are also now having a moult too....BHWT said same to us (rang them cos of the feather eater) the new black quills coming thru are like sweets apparently...... We did have a problem with the feather eater before we got the ex bats - but the bumpa bit has defo done the trick good luck xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Hope all goes well tomorrow. Could not help as not had that, don't know if that's because I can free range but you have an excellent set up. Have seen how cruel chooks can be to the younger lot, and when I did have an ill chook they took themselves off to a far a way bush so maybe less chance of being mobbed there? Nature is a wonderful thing, but at times we never fully understand their ways, but it is their behaviours and ways. Hope peace is restored for you soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 8, 2013 Author Share Posted November 8, 2013 Thank you for your kind words.....I didn't sleep very well and I checked on them about ten times last night, all was very quiet as expected really and I am here at 6.34 am showered, hair washed and waiting for a partial sunrise to let them out before they get a chance to fully wake up.....did all that first so I don't have to take me eyes off them.. Let's see what today brings......another question....how closely can you watch them, this happened 35 feet away from my line of sight, what about when I need to leave them for a short while....oh the drama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigiga Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Just read this thread, hope your girl is accepted back and no more trouble with the bully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 8, 2013 Author Share Posted November 8, 2013 Thank you, no trouble overnight but have just sat out there with them for the last hour and they are defiantly picking on her, they are not chasing her but if she goes near them they will give her a dig. It's defiantly them and her...How long do I let this go on for? I can chicken wire half the run and put a cat basket in for her but will I cause more problems segregating her I am worried about moving her out as she will be a lone chicken and is that worse than a bullied one? Do I fit bumpa bits on all of them?? They are all eating/drinking together and up until yesterday they were absolutely fine, one happy tribe, now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Go for the bumpa bits. They do work as they seem to break the cycle of pecking. When they fall off a few months later, they seem to have forgotten about the pecking/feather eating. My problem was that my bullies were bantams and they don't make bumpa bits to fit them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 8, 2013 Author Share Posted November 8, 2013 Thanks Patricia W....would you give it a few days to see if it settles down? She seems to be managing to duck out the way and keep away from the aggressors and they don't seem to be sustained attacks. If she walks past them they will have a go, a few times they have gone out of their way to give her a dig. Would you bumpa bit all of them, from what I can make out there are two main aggressors. Out free ranging at the moment and all is well, but they do have a 35 square foot enclosure so space isn't the issue. All is fine when I can watch them but I work too and can't watch them the whole day which is a worry....how do other cope with this nightmare of epic proportion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 iu wudnt move her out - if anything i would move the bullies out - u need to bring them down a peg or two ! i wud bumpa bit the main bullies - we fitted our one with one and she sulked for days and days but is now ok with it - hoping it will break the cycle and like PAtricia said im hoping when it eventually falls out the feather eating with be forgotten. u cant watch them every minute can u - but hard not to - the way i try to rationlise everything with the chucks is by comparing it to what a farmer would do (seeing as they are farm yard animals) ooh and not a battery farmer an organic farmer !! They wud basically look after them, feed, water them etc but they wudnt watch them 24 hrs - hard when they are like extended family to us - but it does help me put it into perspective ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 8, 2013 Author Share Posted November 8, 2013 Ok so it took a turn for the worse today, they were all free ranging and she was getting the odd peck but they cornered her and left her bleeding again and that is with me constantly watching,,,,god knows what would have happened if I had not been keeping an eye in her. They have opened the same wouldn't as yesterday and that is with purple spray and sudocrem plastered all over her!! Spoke to BHWT who said she needs to come out for a week or so to let the wounds heal, luckily I have enough space to put a hired go in the enclosure so they can still see/ hear her and her them. Thought about bumpa bits but gonna try this and see if this resolves it and try to get them back together once healing has taken place. I think with farmers there is safety in numbers so a picked on one can lose herself in a massive group where as my poor girl has been outcast by the flock! Would love to know where this came from! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Let's see what today brings......another question....how closely can you watch them, this happened 35 feet away from my line of sight, what about when I need to leave them for a short while....oh the drama I was sat in with mine and still the bullying continued, no matter how much I biffed the bullies they still carried on. Egg laying time and bedtime were the worst and anytime in between. I think the bumpa bits are the way to go for the ones you think are doing the damage. Perhaps a big water pistol too. And have you got the really stinky anti peck spray called UKADEX ? As I said before, I can't actually offer much advice because I did end up separating mine in the end, but I hope you get things sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 oh what a shame poor chuck x yes she has gotta have time to heal and get stronger - then i guess u have to decide where to go from there. good luck x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
