PickleHen Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 We re homed three hens last Sunday And in the last 24 hours the two larger ladies won't let the smaller out of the Eglu hutch. It is only when I allow them to free range does she have any opportunity to eat/drink, let alone exercise. We were out for a few hours this morning and have come home to find her bleeding from an attack on the top of her head. I have locked her up into the Eglu with some food and left the others in the fun. They have many distractions in the form of herbs and greens hanging from the run and some veggies scattered in the ground. I will purchase some anti peck spray tomorrow, but in addition to this I would like some advice from you all for tonight. Should I keep the victim separate, in a warm and safe location tonight; or could this only make the matter worse? I really hope we can get them to get along. In six days since they joined our family, we have had 10 eggs, two of these were not edible and we suspect came from the bullied lady, given her limited feeding/ drinking opportunities and stress levels! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieDust Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 I am sorry I can't help but interested in the reply. Do you have any gentian violet to cover the wound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 I would make sure she has lots of places to escape too and have lots of feeding station so she can access food and water, if it's her comb that's bleeding (that's the common area) then cover the comb in Vaseline so the hens can't get a hold of it. I would try to keep them together as much as possible as long as the bleeding has stopped, but definatly let them go to roost together, even if you pop her in after they have gone to sleep, im sure it's just an adjustment period, they are establishing a pecking order and someone has to be bottom hen. She is better being bottom Hen than on her own however brutal it seems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 I would leave the pop hole open at night too. That way they get up when they want and she can escape from them. They are a bit roughty toughty the exbats, they will soon sort it out. Make sure you've got lots of feeding and drinking stations, and perches if possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PickleHen Posted October 19, 2014 Author Share Posted October 19, 2014 No more war wounds overnight and they actually got along quite well today free ranging without raging! I bought some anti peck spray, applied and then left them to sort out their issues. There were some squabbles when I locked them up tonight but in all, definitely some progress! Would love to share some pics; looks like these need to be shared by URL link, correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Yes I use photobucket. There's a thread about posting pictures at the top of the chicken forum. Look forward to seeing them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
