One for the poultry keepers amongst us

[wafflycat]

The poultry keepers amongst us..

Has anyone used 'bumper bits' or equivalent on their hens? If so, any good? Pros and cons?

 

[e-rider]

I found that they reacted to them quite badly

 

[wafflycat]

I found that they reacted to them quite badly

In what way?

 

[rusky]

Where are the hens attacking? back or vent?

 

[wafflycat]

Where are the hens attacking? back or vent?

Poor Anode has had her entire rear end pecked down to the muscle by two of the flock. She may not recover, but is being given a chance. The vet has given her an injection of antibiotics. I've got a ten day supply of antibiotics for her and she is isolated from the others. There's not enough skin left to pull the wound edges together, so it's a case of trying to keep infection at bay whilst the open wound gradually heals & closes naturally: hopefully. It all happened in the space of an hour this morning. Don't know what started it, but once it started, it was a rapid assault. The benefit fo working from home - I could get her to the vet immediately plus the emergency ark is at the end of my desk, so Anode has company (albeit human company) whilst she's separated to give the wound a chance to heal.

 

[rusky]

Aw, poor Anode

It's strange when they suddenly go mental like that.

The pecking order may well need re-arranging when she's re-introduced too.

 

[philipbh]

My chicken guru suggests trying an anti pecking spray - foul taste = no pecking (in one to two days)

This one has anti bacterial qualities too : http://tiny.cc/q3nu3

Thre is another style of beak bit available:

http://tiny.cc/q4wcr

Instant biting prevention and should change the behaviour of birds in question

(We had to give our pair of modern game girls away because some of the other hens started swinging them around for entertainment)