[joyfull]

they manage very well with just one eye so no need to get her culled 

[Snoop]

Thanks Joyfull. Best news of the day.

[Silkychicks]

That is so sad te hear.. Allthough Babs could get more agressive now Beulah is vulnarable I wouldnt cul her... Maybe she manages; I had a half blind dutch bantham for years as a child. She managed fine in a group of 20 chickens: I found her in the grass as a chick and she was raised in our house, so new to the group when we let her out. They did have a lot of space.

Have you tried having them in the same coop at night and seperating them during daytime? Someone advised this to me when I started with my silkies and it worked realy well: I made a run inside the run and the attacked chicken was in the middle run.
I kept them like this for over a week. When they would get up in the morning, they would eat together and then I would seperate them again. You'll have a nice and early start 

I hope all will be well.

[Beano]

The locals would think it absurd if we took a hen to the vets. For the price of the trip to the vets and the treatment, we could buy half a dozen hens and more. Even the vet would think we were daft, though I'm sure they would indulge us (as they'd see it). So my question is, how well will a one-eyed chicken do?

In that case my vets must think that I'm a right loon. As to a one eyed, chicken we had a blind and deaf chicken that survived very well for a good year before she deteriorated too much after a bad winter. Fortunately her companions were very tolerant towards her and only had a go when she pecked them by mistake.

[Snoop]

Hi Beano. I'm sure your vet regards you as a responsible chicken owner.

Hens are what you might call a "utility animal" in this part of the world. Most people cull them when they are two, regardless of their quality of life, health or egg production.

We keep ours till their quality of life is poor, regardless of when they stopped laying eggs. I was relieved to hear Beulah will enjoy a good life.

[Beano]

Sorry Snoop, I've just noticed your location. It's a bit of a mix here. I'm sure a couple of the vets think I'm a bit odd because they are more farm vets as such. The others are more small animal/pets vets and they are more understanding.  She's already  lucky to have you as her keeper, but good luck to Beulah.

[Snoop]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. Beulah seems very jolly. She and Bridey are now free-ranging and though Bridey is nervous of the dogs, Beulah lets them know who's in charge. She still has the eye I feared she'd lose, but it's still a bit milky even though it's the right shape.

Babs has stopped laying, perhaps because she's feeling a bit stressed, though Beulah is laying an egg a day. Neither she nor Bridey will stay put when Babs is about - the pair of them just run round and round in circles - so the only way to get them used to each other is by letting them free-range together. Even then, Babs goes off and does her own thing after a bit, while the other two stick to each other like glue.

Bridey is finding her voice - sometimes she sounds like a tom cat on the prowl, other times like a young cockerel.

So, it's all fun and games here.

[joyfull]

glad things seem to be settling down 

[Snoop]

Me too. Thanks Joyfull.