[Chuckles]

One of my Lakenvelders has turned nasty and has attacked all of my warrens, shes been pecking them around the vent and has made a real mess of 2 of them, not sure what to do.  I've separated Daisy (the nasty lakenvelder) before she could do any more damage to the others.  Don't know why she has only attacked my warrens she's left the others alone and it's so out of character for her she's usually so placid.

I'm not having a good time at the moment, I'm at my wits end! Seem to be having one problem after another, I don't know what I'm doing wrong but it must be something.  My silkie Flo has recently had an op for an impacted crop, and is still not quite right.  My warren Betsy had a prolapse last week - apologies for not giving an update, had computer problems!  Shes actually much better but her vent still doesn't look quite right and it's not functioning properly, we're off to vets tomorrow to find out whats, what! So still keeping my fingers crossed.  I've run out of places to keep them all separated, just don't know what to do for the best.  It just seems to be one worry after another.

Sorry for rambling on....but if anyone can offer any advice......

[poultrygeist]

Don't worry chuckles.

I would say you've done the right thing for now. It may be that because teh other two are having problems, she's seizing her chance for world domination.

A day or two away will give the other two a chance to get their strength up a bit hopefully and will bring her down a peg or two.

I hope Betsy's prolapse improves and Flo's crop is better. They are fine until someting happens to alter the balance of power, then it's like war. That's why chickens like to keep their ailments a secret. ANy sign of weakness and they can be picked on.

Rob

[Chuckles]

Thanks Rob

Think I'm going to take my two attacked warrens to the vets with me tomorrow with Betsy (if she'll have us all!!!) just to get checked out, they've both been bleeding pretty badly....jsut hope they look a little better in the morning.

Just trying to make a make-shift coop for Daisy to cool off in...she's not happy at the moment!  Flo and Betsy have taken over the hospital wing, so my attacked ones have had to go back in the main coop with the others.  Just hoping they'll all sleep soundly, until I can separate them again in the morning.

[poultrygeist]

It seems that overnight they'll settle fine. Fear of the dark must make them stick together.
But don;t leave them inside too late in the morning in case they get bored and start.

Good luck at the vets. Let us know the outcome.

Rob

[Chuckles]

Thanks again Rob, feeling a liitle more settled now they are all tucked up in bed.

I'll be up very early doors to let them out, don't want anymore injurys!!! 

I'll keep you posted.....

[Chuckles]

Things are a little calmer this morning, one of my warrens (Rosie) that got attacked yesterday isn't too bad this morning so I've kept her in with the others but keeping a close eye on them, my other victim (Ginger) still seems to be in a bit of a mess - going to get them all cleaned up and have a closer inspection to see who's off to the vets with Betsy!

Daisy the nasty one is still is solatary confinement, shes throwing herself about a little and its awful to watch but not sure what else I can do....

[Chuckles]

Back from a visit to the vets with Betsy and Ginger.  The vet was pleased with how well Betsy had got on, think she was expecting the worse (and so were we to be honest!), shes told us to carry on with the cream.  Her vent is does appear to be getting better but it's just like a dripping tap, going to give her a couple of weeks then decide whats best for her - really not a decision I want to make.  Ginger has also been given some cream for her wounds, its not good but not as bad as we actually thought!  And as for Daisy the attacker, the vet has advised she has her beak clipped!!!

They've all been put on a course of antibiotics, as a couple of the other warrens that got attacked yesterday but not quite as bad have both got one foot which has swollen - which apparently is a sign of an infection ( you learn something new everyday!!!) so to be on the safe side they are all having it!!!  No egg withdrawl, thankfully!!!!

[Brambles]

Very sorry to hear about your problems Chuckles...  I have a barn hen from a farm that was being sold...  she is a beautiful bird herself, but a huge bully and is totally demolishing my Black Rock's feathers...
The bully already had her beak clipped but it hasn't stopped her from pulling out everyone's feathers... I only have 3 hens but am having to keep all three separate   My Black Rock has a very red, sore bottom and legs, fortunately the skin is not broken, but it would be if I had left them together any longer...
They do all sleep together and lay early in the mornings, so I separate all of them as soon as the eggs are laid... NOT ideal, but the best I can do at the moment... I have some purple spray on it's way, hoping that will help a bit
I hope your problems sort themselves out... will look forward to hearing more.. Good luck.

[Foxy]

Hi Chuckles, sounds like a severe pecking problem, maybe try a "bumper bit" on her.

http://www.foranimalsshop.co.uk/poultry-products/bumper-bits/bumpa-bits-25mm-for-poultry/prod_5140.html

[poultrygeist]

We've just (yesterday) fitted these to our girls. At least 2 of them were pecking feathers despite several attempts to break the habit.
2 of them have managed to remove theirs but I don't think they're the culprits. They hate having them in but have stopped sulking and are now doing all the normal chickeny things and can apparently eat and drink normally.
They are a bu**er to fit but I couldn't leave them to peck each other any longer.
Got ours from domestic fowl trust but they all do the same sort of job.

Rob

[Chuckles]

Is having their beak clipped as severe as it sounds, are they able to eat and drink normally?

Daisy is still in solatary confinement, I feel as guilty as hell for keeping her on her own but she left me no choice, can't risk putting her back for her to do more damage..my other girls have only just settled down after yesterdays carnage.

The 'bumper bit' sounds like a good thing (thanks Foxy!), think it might be an idea to get something like that just incase anything happens again with any of the others...not sure I'd be able to get one on Daisy if they are difficult to fit...it's so hard to get near her at the best of times shes very skitty....we had a job and a half to get hold of her yesterday, could really do with investing in some kind of net!

[poultrygeist]

Beak clipping isn't an option. I think it's still done by some of the big farms but is, in effect, mutilation. Not something you want to be doing. The bumper bits are possible to fit on your own if you can wrap her in a towel and hold her under your arm. The tighter you can, safely, wrap her up the calmer she should be.
I thought ours would just sit down and die when I fitted mine but now they are back to their old selves, without the feather pecking. Thanks to chickenlady for reasurring me.

Rob

[Chuckles]

Thanks Rob, beak clipping sounds awful, really don't want to put her through that, as naughty as she's been, she's still my girl!!!

She's supposed to be going in on Tuesday for it done, think I need to find some more info on this and look at the alternatives.

I'm sure I'd be able to fit a bumper bit if I kept her calm, would much rather give that a go than have her beak clipped.

[Brambles]

No Chuckles... Definitely would not go for beak clipping... My girl already had hers done, NOT a thing I would ever recommend...

[Chuckles]

Thanks Brambles, definately not taking her for her beak clipped, I was in two minds yesterday wasn't sure what else I could do, but now I have options! Going to try the Bumper bits...will get them ordered today and hopefully delivery is super speedy!!!