[gibbo]

Hello everyone.

Can you hellp me?  I have four chickens, two legbars and two wellsummers, age about 8 months all very freindly and happy. One wellsummer and one legbar are laying regulary now, however just this last few days the laying wellsummer has started to pick on the non laying legbar.  The nonlaying legbar, lucy has always been the lowest of the pecking order but has never been bulied.  Lucy has always been a little pale in her face too.  Yesterday and today she laid her first egg but it was without a shell just the membrane.  You could see a very small amount of blue shell like powder on todays egg but nothing to resemble a hard shell.  Does this sound like a problem that will resolve it self as she matures?  

I have given the girls a little male bantam today in the hopes of restoring a little order and stop the bullying. He is so tiny compared to them but he has a lot of personality and was flerting lots with them. So funny.

Just to mention they all get layers pellets, grit, oyster shell, and corn. With occational treats.  They have a big enclosed area with shelter and shrubs to roam in.

[joyfull]

I wouldn't worry about the softee it is simply your hen getting into the swing of things 

[gibbo]

Thats what i was hoping.  Do you think margo my wellsummer has sensed the change in hormones and thus has started to bully lucy?  I hope it settles down i hate to see them all upset when they used to be so happy with each other. Lets hope this little cockerel helps!

[joyfull]

when they are about to lay a softee they can become withdrawn and miserable, the others would have sensed this and will take advantage to prove they are higher up in the pecking order. Don't worry when she gets into the rhythm of laying proper eggs her confidence will grow 

[gibbo]

Lucy is laying properly now!  However the bullying is still going on so im getting some of that anti peck spray tomorow.  It comes in a spray but presumibly you cant spray it on their faces?  Is it a good idea to spray it on my fingers first then rub it into lucy comb and wattles? Its not like you can tell a hen to close her eyes for a moment!!!

[Casey76]

The spray the spray on the peckee, not the pecker

[gibbo]

Well ive sprayed my poor girls with the anti peck spray. Cor what a smelly job!  I sprayed a little on my fingers (i had gloves on) and then rubbed it into their wattles as it these are what seem to be attacked first.  I hope it works as poor lucy's comb is looking qiute sore.  It didnt seem to have much affect today as margo was still going for it. Ill keep going with the spray even though it is a bit of a nightmare to catch my girls!

[Casey76]

If there is one persistent bully, remove that hen from the flock for a few days/week.  this will disrupt her place in the pecking order, and when she is returned someone else will be in top place.  This should help with the bullying.

[gibbo]

I might try that if the spray doesnt work.  It is sad because they used to get on so well then when lucy started to lay margo became evil!  Its hormones im sure!! thanx for the advice.