Chicken bald back

[Luvachicken]

I went somewhere today where there were 6 or 7 pekins and a cockerel.

They have quite a large run with 2 little wooden houses to sleep in, a wooden rung platform to perch on, some water and some corn.

The run base is quite a hard floor with largish gravel - not pea size.

 

Firstly I'm worried because I wondered if chickens can just have corn and not pellets.

I've seen them once before and they only had corn then too.

 

Secondly is the fact they don't seem to have anything for a dust bath apart from the teeny layer of stuff under the gravel. The chickens had made a tiny hollow but it was very shallow. They had 2 beautiful containers which could be used as dust baths but they just had a few stones in the bottom - I think they were more for decoration to the people visiting - and one had a young lavender pekin in who did look a bit sad and was pretty sleepy.

 

I guess what I'm asking is do they have enough to keep them happy ?

If not I will be writing to them to complain.

[mullethunter]

I suppose it depends on your viewpoint. Most people on this forum (me included) would probably have the same concerns as you, but compare them to a caged / battery hen they are living the life of luxury.

 

If it was me, I think I would write, but in the first instance rather than complaining I'd suggest easy practical ways that their welfare could be improved.

 

Let us know how you get on.

[Luvachicken]

Thanks Mullethunter, I guess in the scheme of things then they are probably happy.

 

I guess complain wasn't really the word I meant but I will write to them.

[Luvachicken]

I guess I forgot to say that these chickens are not for buying.

Where they live is their home - does it make a difference ?

[gavclojak]

I guess I forgot to say that these chickens are not for buying.

Where they live is their home - does it make a difference ?

 

I think it does make a difference, if they are for buying then there would generally be a fast turnover and they would only be there for a short period, if you are concerned about the welfare then I would drop a polite note giving them some advice on how to make a nice dust bath and in you humble experience they would provide more eggs if they were fed a good quality pellet as they provide all the nutrients they would need.

 

I visit a garden centre locally and twice I have had to say to someone that they need to provide the hens with fresh water and check the food isn't covered With debris, I have told them if I see the water empty again I am going to report them. I get annoyed because all the other animals that are inside are immaculate, I said to the young chap that just because they are kept outside they still need to be checked regularly...

[Luvachicken]

I visit a garden centre locally and twice I have had to say to someone that they need to provide the hens with fresh water and check the food isn't covered With debris, I have told them if I see the water empty again I am going to report them. I get annoyed because all the other animals that are inside are immaculate, I said to the young chap that just because they are kept outside they still need to be checked regularly...

 

I agree, I've said to them before at Squires garden centres that the food or water needs topping up, but these chickens are at a National Trust place

I will write them a nice letter and give it to them tomorrow as we are going again, suggesting that the pekins might like some soil in the pretty containers, a mini bale of straw to peck at / climb on and just generally some other chickeny playthings.

As we have NT membership I can pop along again in a couple of weeks to see how they are doing and if any changes have been made.

[mullethunter]

I think he fact that's its NT actually puts you in a strong position. I thought you meant they were just owned by 'a person'.

 

If nothing improves I would suggest a more strongly worded letter to follow (as Gavclojak has mentioned), and if still nothing then taking to Twitter seems to be the way to get things done these days. Particularly if it's related to a large organisation like the NT who like to portray a certain image.

[Luvachicken]

Yes, sorry mullethunter, I didn't explain myself properly in the first place.

 

Trip adviser might also be useful but thanks for the twitter idea, I wouldn't have thought of that.

[clucker1]

Which NT property? I work for the NT and am horrified to read it's one of our properties

[Luvachicken]

Which NT property? I work for the NT and am horrified to read it's one of our properties

 

I'd rather not say for the moment.

It is a beautiful place.

It is only my opinion that the chicken environment they have isn't the best and would like to give them some ideas.

[miller30]

Sorry doesn't sound bad to me is there a law against not having a dirt bath you have to remember not everyone keeps chickens as beloved pets and in the life of luxury as long as they have house space food and water i can't see anything wrong god i clean my ducks house and pool out but within 3 hours it looks like they haven't been done in a month leanne

[Luvachicken]

Thanks Leanne, you do make a good point.

Like I said, it is only my opinion.

[clucker1]

Luvachicken, I understand about you not wanting to name the property. I was going to contact them. I hope you had a enjoyable day today. The property which I work at, we take all visitor feedback very seriously so I hope this will all be sorted to your satisfaction and the chickens Asap.

[Luvachicken]

Thanks Clucker1

We had a change of plan and met my parents instead so I haven't actually had time to write the letter today, but I will write to them tomorrow.

 

Clucker1 which NT property do you work at ?

[clucker1]

Luvachicken, I don't think it is recommended to put personal details on an online forum. Sorry not to be more helpful.

[Chicken shack]

Sorry doesn't sound bad to me is there a law against not having a dirt bath you have to remember not everyone keeps chickens as beloved pets and in the life of luxury as long as they have house space food and water i can't see anything wrong god i clean my ducks house and pool out but within 3 hours it looks like they haven't been done in a month leanne

I have two ducks and change the water in their pool every other day and I'd be lucky if it stays clean for 5 minutes!

[gavclojak]

I stupidity planted a few plants in pots around the run to make it look pretty, the grass type that hens don't eat but during the worming week they trashed the whole lot! The little madams didn't eat them just pulled them out and threw them around the run and just to add to the indignity of it all they stood on them. I'm sure I heard one if them say " well if she won't give me my mealworms I'll show her!"

[mullethunter]

[Lewis]

Instead of writing a letter or taking to twitter to complain, could you not just ask a member of staff while you're there?

 

As long as they are in a clean environment with feed and water it isn't essential for them to have a dust bath or straw bales and gravel is fine for their feed. Layers pellets may be a better idea for them but staff may be completely unaware.

[Alis girls]

Funny we even start to think like chickens I had to laugh at Gavclojaks efforts to make run looks nice - dont bother love - in my old hen house I used newspaper and the little coots trashed the lot - ripped to shreds and strewn around My girlie is on concrete slabs with a space for a dust bath - shes is soo funny as shes dug this space out possibly in the hope muggins here will fall down it. I can see her thinking " huh wheres the muddy mess I had before - dont like this - too neat - wheres my shovel?"

[Luvachicken]

Instead of writing a letter or taking to twitter to complain, could you not just ask a member of staff while you're there?

 

I actually haven't written the letter yet as I decided a chat would be much better.

For all I know, the chickens may have been given pellets earlier in the day, chucked all the dust bath stuff out already and may be perfectly happy and I would be making a fuss about nothing.

[Lewis]

Good shout