assas-hen

[snakeshack]

Having lost 2 light sussex hens very soon after coming into lay due to prolapse I was hocked to loose my 2 black rocks after a severe pecking incident over a 2 day period while I was away at afuneral for 2 days (sons feeding chooks etc)
Came home from work today to find my bluebell hen "kung po" disembowelling my cream legbar pullet.
The injuries were so severe I had to put her out of her misery leaving me with just the one hen.
The question now is wether to dispatch the assas-hen and start over or try to introduce new hens while she is still there.
I'm also wondering about those first 2 "prolapses" I am now reasonably persuaded that she was the cause of the first two deaths although until this weekend I had never seen any bullying,

[Nicos]

she sounds evil!!!

I'd give her to a farmer who has a large flock and some cockerels and start again with a nice gentle breed.
Sounds like you're not having as much fun as you should with your gals.

[di]

Oh no...how awful.

I can't answer your question,in your position I'd probably be having constant little arguments with myself about it.(I've given up arguing with Andi)

The thing we've found with our mixed flock is that like definately hang out with like so if you did decide to try her with some others maybe go for more Bluebells or at least similar colourings.

Sorry you've been through it a bit with them...hope you can make a decision you're happy with and start having happy hen moments as opposed to trying to break up fights.

[RichmondHens]

shame to cull a healthy hen. Either get more bluebelles and a cock or give her to someone with a cock.

Assume they have plenty of space and not been getting too much corn. Bullying often starts when birds are bored and overfed.

[sqweek01]

So sorry to hear about your chooks ((((big hugs))))

I never thought chickens could be so barbaric, do problems like this happen with a trio of mixed birds?

Regards

Clare

[RichmondHens]

So sorry to hear about your chooks ((((big hugs))))

I never thought chickens could be so barbaric, do problems like this happen with a trio of mixed birds?

Regards

Clare

Chickens can be barbaric, but there is usually a trigger. It doesn't just happen. Maybe a sick or injured bird, which provokes others to attack it, or just too many birds in a small space. They then get irritable and peck each other for "amusement".

There shouldn't normally be a problem with a mixed trio or flock, over and above the usual shaking down of the pecking order.

[its hilly]

Oh dear Snakeshack, you're not having a lot of luck are you?
My thoughts..get rid. If you introduce new hens she'll be resident boss hen and may do it again. If you bring in four together theres more chance they'll settle.

[Hilary B]

The only way I would consider keeping her with newcomers would be to isolate her OUT of the normal house-and-run until the newcomers have had at least 48 hours together there (longer if they haven't been together before you got them) and only let her rejoin once they are feeling at home there. If she simply is a bully, you can get round it, BUT....
The form of attacking you describe is sometimes known as cannibalism, and it can become a determined habit (so the books say). I'd get rid.......

[frias]

You can get something called 'bumper bits' for chickens. Supposed to stop pecking although the chicken can still eat and drink normally. I've no experience of them but I would be very worried about putting any more hens in with with her.

[Glutton4...]

Casserole.

[Nicos]

Casserole.

...served with...????

[snakeshack]

I'm thinking she's gonna be appearing as the star in a dinner soon !

[Scarlet]

I'm thinking she's gonna be appearing as the star in a dinner soon !

Yes! Without question, roast spuds, parsnip the lot!
Start afresh without the worry

[BUFFS]

we had two bluebelles until we lost one in the really bad weather,they were both very timid,took them over a month to mix with the other 4,after one died,the other one came out of her shell,she is now one of the boss birds,she shoves the old boss out of the way without a moments thought,food to be got at,and she WILL be there first,can be a bit of a bully,is this a bluebelle characteristic?,although she is now the biggest bird,her eggs are a lot smaller than the blackrocks,and the isa browns,yet she looks a hell of a lot bigger.....

[palomino]

I have one Bluebelle left - her bigger sister got 'foxed' - but although she is the smallest bird she lays much bigger eggs than any of the others. She's very independent, not really interested in the others, pretty low down the hierarchy and although not at all nasty, she is a bit stand-offish and less keen to be petted than the others (currently Orps and Black Rocks, did have a Legbar, a Welsummer and an ISA until this winter and they were all extremely tame).