[bb72]

Hi

I have had my ex bats now for nearly 6 weeks with nothing more than teething problems on my part as a new keeper.

Today I went down to let the girls out and two (one a lot worse than the other) were clearly the victim of a messy attack  going by the blood on their beaks by 2 of the other chooks, one in particular who is the top hen had virtually a red head and still didnt relent when I was on the scene despite being moved  a number of times.

Not all are laying as I expected as they are ex bats, however there was  a hot newly laid egg in the coop which leeds me to think the victim has perhaps laid for the first time in a long time and have since seperated them for the time being.

so a few questions

Firstly what is the best course of action for the injured bird if my theory is correct with the hot egg and it just having laid then thankfully I have caught it quickly - will she require vet treatment or simply cleaned up.***update cleaned up looks like prolapse***

Secondly the chief instegator is going as she has been guilty of the odd peck  but this was viscious ,the second hen involved although obviously having had a go didnt seem interested once they were out -would it be advisable for her to meet the same fate?

Thirdly with there only being one egg the other victim hadnt laid but was also to a much letter extent been had a go at - what would cause this?

sorry for the peace and war but thought it best to provide as much info as poss

thnx

[compostqueen]

You'll need some purple spray which is specially for hens that are injured and to prevent re-pecking (it tastes orrible)  The spray will help heal the wound as it's a poulty antiseptic. If you are worried though I would definely take your injured girl to the vet. If you look on the hen stickies here you will probably find a recommended poultry vet near you.  A vet could give you advice about prolapse and give your girl an antibiotic anti-inflammatory injection etc. 

Someone on here will be able to advise about the pecking order, which will probably be sorted quickly as your ex batts get used to each other.  You can get anti peck things for their beaks but it might not come to that once the pecking order is established. 

You have to keep a close eye on things in the early stages.  You might be able to separate them temporarily by means of a chicken wire fence etc but they'd still be able to see each other and not feel isolated. 

[helens-hens]

Sorry to hear about your experience - it must have been a horrible sight when you opened the coop door  .

Re your 'top' girls, though what they have done appears quite disgusting and ruthless, in my opinion they were probably just doing what is in their nature. I know it is horrible but food is food to hens. My 2 once found a chicken drumstick in the garden (probably dropped by a seagull or something) and they were fighting over it. It is survival of the fittest.

The purple spray that compostqueen suggests will I am sure help. If the top hen starts get a bit of a pecking habit they can be fitted with anti-pecking bits which I have heard are very effective.

Hope it all works out for you.

[kegs]

Good luck with your girls.  This thread should help you sort out the prolapse as well.

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=74347.msg846192#msg846192

[sneezer]

I had an experience with my girls when one had a dribbling broken egg down her the others had been pecking at her and removed most of her feathers around her vent and down towards her legs poor thing was completely traumatised, I cleaned her up put the worst offender away (she is a white hen so seeing blood on her not a pretty sight!) then sprayed her with anti-peck spray and this worked after a few testings they eventually left her alone.  So I think once you have sorted the prolapse out they should leave her alone, but I would monitor her because the prolapse may come back if she lays again. I hope it all works out and they settle down

[bb72]

just an update in case anyone else is in the same situation.


top hen was removed and found a safe home problem stopped!!

The prolapse was simply a case of lubricating with KY Jelly as recomended by vet and reinserting, thankfully all looks good so far and im even certain she has since laid obviously without further problem.

hope this helps