MissyJo Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 Hi - Hope someone can help. I have lost three gals in the last week. They have been murdered. I found one with her intestines pulled out of her. The rest are continually pecking each others vents - literally dripping blood and I can't work out which ones are the main protagonists. They have plenty of room and they free range a few times a week. It seems they have developed a serious pecking habit. I have had ex-battery hens before and they didn't behave like these ex-barn hens. They also peck and eat the eggs. They are fed on quality layers pellets and have oyster shells added to their feed and I regularly give them veg s"Ooops, word censored!"s. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 How horrible for you! I'd fit bumper bits to every one of them. I'd also spray any and all wounds with gentian violet spray. Roll away type next boxes will lessen the egg eating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 How awful . Can't add to Egluntyne's excellent advice but hope you manage to get them sorted out - you must be dreading every time you go to see them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 how awful for you, so sorry to hear this. Do they have sufficient space to get away from each other I heard a similar story a couple of years ago when someone I know of had a small flock of araucanas. they started cannibalising and she had to cull the lot. Dreadful experience. Not suggesting of course that this is the case with you. Do hope you find a solution soon. Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Hi Missy Jo. That's the worst case of cannibalism I have ever encountered. Bumper Bits may solve the problem but I think it unlikely to be a permanent solution. It could flare up at any time if one throws or wears out a beak bit. I would cull them all and start again. Just where did you get them from, because they must have been like that before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LottyJ1 Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Any bleeding seems to be an attractant. I will always separate any with wounds until they have healed and Terramycin spray is great. Not ever had this type of experience though. Sounds terrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Poor you,what a nightmare.Can you contact whoever you got them from?It would be interesting to know if any others released are doing same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 That's awful, it can't be what your feeding them. Try contacting BHWT there's a help number on their website. I'm sure they'll have some ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissyJo Posted April 23, 2014 Author Share Posted April 23, 2014 Thanks to everyone for your time and advice. I got the chickens from BHWT - they're ex-barn. I had ex-battery before and they were well behaved. They are presently free ranging in the garden but are still pecking at each other even though I have used antiseptic spray. I think it may be more humane to cull them rather than let them kill each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Oh you poor thing. Nature is cruel sometimes, sounds like these birds have gone a bit psycho from their experience. At least you gave them a chance. I think I'd still phone BHWT just to let them know, not necessarily that your going to cull them, but where and when you got them. There may be many more psycho ex barnies out there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 I would defo ring BHWT - they offered us brilliant advice and help when we got our ex bats Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueSilver Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Sounds like they have gone a bit mad Can't blame them considering the previous conditions they were in. Nothing else you can do in this case but cull the lot. Unfortunate, but cannibalism can't be cured as far as I know, once it sets in, done is done. *comfort* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Hi - Sorry to hear what is happening, I am a little concerned as I am due to pick up 3 ex barn girls from BHWT this weekend.....Has anyone else rescued ex barn girls - with or without these problems.... I am not sure whether to continue ... Thanks for any advice Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Hi there HarrisonFamily I think this is pretty much a rare incident - we had 3 exbats in July last year and they have been lovely. Yes you get the initial intro problems with existing birds and a few squabbles while they sort out the pecking order but generally everything goes well. It does sound horrid but please dont let it put you off - they really are a joy (on the whole ) xx good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Oh do get your ex batts,I only have battles and they are so lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LottyJ1 Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Yes please contact the BHWT and let them know. They will want to log this. This is very rare and please don't let this put you off. All chickens wether posh or ex-batt will establish a pecking order and in the case that blood is drawn they should be removed immediately and treated to stop the bleeding and then either put back or kept separated to give the wound a bit of time to heal/harden. Purple or Terramycin spray is good as it seems to be the red colour of the blood they are attracted too. Chooks are gross sometimes but they are also great pets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Hi Harrison family, my ex bats are lovely. It's been a real joy watching them grow strong and healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Hi - Sorry to hear what is happening, I am a little concerned as I am due to pick up 3 ex barn girls from BHWT this weekend.....Has anyone else rescued ex barn girls - with or without these problems.... I am not sure whether to continue ... Thanks for any advice Helen Hi Helen, where are you getting your girls from? I volunteer with BHWT and am doing a rehoming this weekend, I am off to the commercial farm this time, usually the girls are already loaded and I just do the health check and rehoming but am actually going to the barn to catch the lucky ones this time. I too have ex barn girl, I have had them for over a year and they are great pets, having said that I had to rehome one of my girls six months in as all four attacked her and wouldn't leave her alone. I don't think that is anything do do with them being commercial girls, I just think poor hen solo had victim written all over her and they just wouldn't leave her alone....pack mentality I'm afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 I am collecting from Biggin Hill so I am guessing from your location you may be selecting my girls for me.... I would like 3 nice well behaved girls and if one lays chocolate eggs that would be great I have my new multi coloured cube, the walk in run divided and my old go washed and ready to go... Hopefully I might see you Saturday I am in the 1.00 - 1.30 slot.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Ah yes I will be there:) I have roped OH in to do traffic duty too bless him. i will make sure I get you some classy ladies. Look forward to seeing you! Lisa x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissyJo Posted April 24, 2014 Author Share Posted April 24, 2014 Segregated them - just continue as soon as they are together. Pulling lumps out of each other. What would be the most humane way to cull them? Or, would it be quicker to leave them out for the foxes? I'm hating this. It is making me feel sick that I bought the gals to save them and now I am killing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Oh Missy Jo I think the most humane is the vets to be PTS.I don't think the foxes would be right.There is a method to DIY using a broomstick.You can see it on u tube. I don't think I could. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 I'd take them all back to where they came from MissyJo. The last thing you need is all this stress. Poultry are generally a real enjoyment and you deserve some you can enjoy. You've had some real bad luck with this lot so lets hope the pendulum swings the other way soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 I agree, you need to out yourself first. You don't need the stress.'i would call BHWT and see what they suggest, failing that if your thinking of culling then it's the vets I'm afraid, unless you are confident you could cull them and them die instantly then the vets is the only humane option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzieLloyd Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Sounds an awful situation and very distressing but the vet is the most humane option unless you are very confident doing it yourself. Hope all goes as well as possible but sounds like a cull may be the best option Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
