Hen Pecked

[Mikey]

No not me..

One of my lovely ladies ginger is getting a hard time of it. She's been having very loose stools, and is being bullied by Bluebell. I sprayed some anti peck spray yesterday all the way around her rear, as on closer inspection Bluebell had stripped her of most of her rear end feathers and drawn blood.

I've added some tonic to their water, but should I be separating her from the others or pulling the bully out for a while. Ginger is a very scared chicken, it took some time to catch her, and I don't want to distress her further if I can avoid it.

How long does it normally take for the anti peck spray to take effect, and the problem too settle down.

[RichmondHens]

You can either remove Ginger or Bluebell, but they do need to be separated. I would first of all try removing the bully and accommodate her in a separate coop if you can. Then take a look at Ginger - did the loose stools appear as a result of the bullying or could she perhaps be poorly which is why she is getting bullied in the first place? Chickens will drive out any bird that is under par to protect the health of the rest of the flock, that is nature's way. If she has visible blood on her you need to cover it with gentian violet (purple) spray to hide the blood so the other hen does not get attracted to it. They will peck anything red. Keep them apart for at least a week and then try all together again and see if things are improved or not. I forget the breeding makeup of Bluebells - I think they are a combination of maran, rhodie and something else but am not sure - but I'm certain I've read of other people having aggression problems with their Bluebells too.

[Suechooks]

I had a bullying problem with my Bluebelle - she was so bad that I rehomed her. I did the separation for 2 weeks -( she was here at home and the others were on the allotment) and as soon as I took her back she started again. She was chasing the others off the nest to the point they were running round dropping eggs all over the place! In her new home she is as good as gold and no problem at all.

[Mikey]

Thanks Both,

I built a new coop for Bluebell last night, I have a new run to build tonight and she will be separated out. I can't tell if the bullying is still going on, Gingers stools seem normal perhaps the one I saw was a one off. she seems ok in herself just very nervous.

I'm reluctant to get rid of bluebell at the moment as she is the only one laying. Hopefully things will work themselves out.

Has anyone had any joy with creating a swing for their birds, I was planning on making one for the enclosure and wondered if its successful.

[chris]

I've not made a swing, but I made a climbing frame out of a tree I chopped down. They are always up and down it, gives them something to do if they're locked up for a while [like they are at the moment whilst work is going on in the garden].

[Suechooks]

Someone did make a swing last year I think. I seem to remember that it was a success with the chooks!

[Dazy]

I made a swing using a spare set of plastic eglu roosting bars, suspended with chains. Not a great success scared the s### out of them, think perhaps the plastic was too light should have used something with a bit more weight, so less movement, maybe the wooden decking panels from B&Q, use these in the corners of the run, hinged on one side with chains attached to the roof so I can raise them out of the way (like a drawbridge) and of course log roll ladders for access

[chris]

lol, sounds ace

Don't forget the egg trebuchets, so they can see intruders off!

[Mikey]

Have you got any pics Dazy, cos I can't understand quite how that works. The suspended bit, got that, but the hinged bit confuses me. Thanks.

[Dazy]

Sorry no pics, I'll try to get some on here tomorrow or is that today

[Dazy]

Been a bit slow but better late than never Hope link works to pics
chooks - a set on Flickr

[Mikey]

Groovy Dazy, some great pics. Tell me what do you use the bell for on the end?

[Dazy]

The bell is a gift, one of the many chicken related items I get when at xmas, or on my birthday I reply to the question, "what do you want" and say "I don't know". So be warned
How's Ginger, settled yet, I know how mean chooks can be, my little skyline took a few pecks but its settling down now and she holds her own