Grow Your Own Magazine

hedgie · #1 (**permalink**) 17-01-2008, 01:41 PM

Hi there please can anyone tell me if eggs can still be eaten while the birds are being treated with verm-x? If not how long do I have to wait until safe? Thanx Hedgie

Birdie Wife · #2 (**permalink**) 17-01-2008, 02:22 PM

Hi hedgie,
I think it's safe to eat the eggs, as verm-x is a herbal concoction (not to say that that means it's totally safe!) but check their website just to be sure.

Polly Fouracre · #3 (**permalink**) 17-01-2008, 05:27 PM

You can eat them but not sell them.

hedgie · #4 (**permalink**) 17-01-2008, 06:21 PM

Ok thanx guys. Anyone got any advice on how to reintergrate a bully chicken back in? I have 3 3yr olds, one has been seperated for a week now, she can see the other two thro the wire etc but is clearly lonely - but everytime I try to connect up the runs she attacks one of the others! I have tried the solitary confinement cage within the run, hanging vegetables to peck at etc. I have tried swopping them around, two in one run etc but every time the bully (Speckle) attacks Dodo (the victim) the third one (Pheonix) doesnt bat an eyelid at any combination or confrontation! Thanx for your advice everyone. Hedgie

TPeers · #5 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 10:06 AM

What worked for me in the end was totally isolating the bully out of sight of the others for a fortnight. I then cleaned the henhouse and zapped all the surfaces with neat vinegar to mask all smells. When I returned the bully that evening I sprayed all the hens with a 50:50 dilute solution of cider vinegar. Over the next few days I would spray Marie with the vinegar solution if she attacked anyone - she got the message and everything calmed down.

Birdie Wife · #6 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 02:09 PM

Hi hedgie,
How bad is the bullying? If it's just chasing, pecking and feather pulling, I would be tempted to leave them to it, as they need to sort out a pecking order (it's not called that for nothing unfortunatly

). Hopefully they can sort it out in a matter of days and things will calm down (be brave!). If it's more serious - ie if blood is spilt - then you need to separate them again.

hedgie · #7 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 05:42 PM

To TPeers - Hhm!! Ok thanx - willing to try anything!! Hedgie

hedgie · #8 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 05:59 PM

Thanx birdie wife. I think I probably am being a bit over protective!! Thing is Dodo was really poorly when I rescued them - they had survived repeated badger attacks at the previous home by flying into the rafters. But the stress had certainly taken its toll on Dodo - I didnt think she would survive. Anyway now I've finished trying to justify why I'm pampering my girls!! I will get to the point!
Found a little blood in nest box once - but couldnt find any wounds?? It is mainly chasing, trouble is Dodo is so terrified now she is over reacting and drawing more attention to herself!!
Every time Speckle even looks at her she squawks, flaps her wings and runs around in a frenzy. Sp then responds by chasing her non stop while D squawks hysterically!! When D stops running Sp jumps on her and yanks her comb? (the red thing on her head?!) I cant bear watching it and I couldnt bear hearing it when I covered my eyes!! I would so love to have them all back together, but I am very worried about D - can chickens have heart attacks?! Sorry you probably think I am pathetic! But I love those daft birds so much!

TPeers · #9 (**permalink**) 19-01-2008, 12:03 PM

I remember that! That is exactly how Kiev behaved! Put a second feed and drink station in the hen house - Dodo may turn into a recluse for a month or two while she settles down and recovers, don't worry, she will come out again and you will be amazed at the change! Kiev will now starnd up to the other hen (and Marie while she was with us) and is perfectly happy.

hedgie · #10 (**permalink**) 19-01-2008, 04:13 PM

Thanx TPeers that gives me hope! I just dont understand this pecking order thing?! If a dog is aggressive, once its victim turns belly up in submission the bully usually struts off proud of its achievment.
How come chickens dont respect this rule?! Poor Dodo has never tried to be anything other than very bottom of the pecking order - but Speckle just wont give her a break.
I am going to brave it and open the flap to join the runs up tomorrow

I can be home all day to supervise - or watch in horror!!
I havent managed to get any cider vinegar yet, but last time when I couldnt catch them to stop Sp I threw a half cup of cold coffee over her!! (yes I was sitting in their run drinking coffee as I was too scared to leave them alone and no I didnt get that 'advice' from anyone!) That was my last ditch desperate attempt to get them to stand still long enough for me to grab Sp!

It worked - she was so shocked - it was decaf so the next hour she spent preening probably didnt do her any harm! Oh by the way I have 3 feeders and 3 water things - one per chicken!! Strange thing is Sp doesnt stop Dodo feeding or drinking - she attacks every time Dodo looks at her?! Thanx for your advice and sympathy, glad Kiev is settled now - love the name by the way!! Hedgie

TPeers · #11 (**permalink**) 20-01-2008, 08:46 AM

From observation it is all about 'giving the eye' - I have just (last night) put three new birds into the run so all hell is breaking loose here!

Kiev stretches up, fluffs her neck and looks sideways at the new girls - if any of them dare to stand straight she buffets them..... Having lived through the bullying she is now determined not to be bottom of the new order.

hedgie · #12 (**permalink**) 20-01-2008, 12:01 PM

Wow good luck with 3 new ones - I cant cope with the stress of 1 bully!! I have braved it and connected the runs up

1st 10 mins fine but then .... Speckle launched at poor Dodo

Pheonix who has always been very laid back and kept out of it all attacked Sp much to my surprise - Sp backed off!!
Now 3 hours later Sp is doing a bit of chasing, but Dodo has twigged she has a body gaurd and runs to Hide behind Ph

It is nowhere near as bad as it was so I am hoping they will settle soon. Interesting what you said about the sidewards glances and stretching necks - Dodo does this a lot but it doesnt seem to be a challenge? Altho Sp clearly sees it as that.
Real test will be bed time - they have a large nest box that they used to all snuggle up in. I am hoping that Ph and D will get in 1st, then D has her little body gaurd if Sp tries to chase her out

TPeers · #13 (**permalink**) 20-01-2008, 01:51 PM

We are having great fun! Kiev has given the Sussex a bloody nose! The speckeldy (Maryland) and the White Star (Chicken Little) have retreated to the henhouse and are sulking up there!

Who would keep hens?

hedgie · #14 (**permalink**) 20-01-2008, 05:06 PM

Oh poor hen!! It's so awful watching them isn't? I guess Kiev wants to make sure she doesnt end up bullied again - they call it defensive behaviour in dogs!! I do hope they settle

Well my 3 arent exactly the Brady bunch, but today is the 1st day that I havent had to intervene, so fingers crossed.
I actually sat in the garden waiting for dark to check Dodo didnt get kicked out of the nest box

Ph and Dodo got in the big box together and Sp stood peeking in at them - almost as if saying 'pleases can I come in?!' I actually felt sorry for her this time. Answer was clearly 'NO'!!!
After wandering up and down for a while she got into her little nest box in the adjoining run - another night alone

Still she has got to learn and I think at last she is. Good luck with your lot!!

TPeers · #15 (**permalink**) 22-01-2008, 08:04 AM

The three newbies spent all yesterday up in the house, sulking.

Surprisingly the house seems to be neutral territory, there is no fuss or fighting of an evening when they all roost side by side and I have not heard any fuss when Kiev or Blackie go up to lay.

I should add that there is a feeder and a drinker in the house! So the newbies are ok up there, but it rather knocks HFW's ideas on the head - they have access to the great outdoors and won't go!

Terry

Shortie · #16 (**permalink**) 22-01-2008, 08:42 AM

Terry, it might just be the weather. Mine were complete tarts and wouldn't even think about coming out at a hint of rain!

TPeers · #17 (**permalink**) 22-01-2008, 08:53 AM

Could also be that they are barn raised and have no idea what 'outside' is!

hedgie · #18 (**permalink**) 22-01-2008, 08:29 PM

I hope things settle down soon TP

My three have now had three days together - Sp is still chasing Dodo a bit, but nowhere near as bad and Dodo isn't freaking out anymore - squawks and runs for cover then sticks her bum in Sp's face

Tonight all 3 tucked up together in the one big nest box!! Hooray happy families at last

Next problem!!! Sp has now decided she has to crow loudly every morning for aprox 20 mins?! I have absolutely no idea why - any ideas please anyone? At least at the moment she starts at daylight - 7.30 am ish but I am dreading summer early morning 4 am calls! My neighbours will definately complain.

kirsty b · #19 (**permalink**) 22-01-2008, 09:33 PM

Ooh can't help you there Hedgie. Glad things are settling down with your girls now though.
Having fun and games with my own flock now as 5 new ones arrived yesterdayA few scraps but mostly good natured so far.

hedgie · #20 (**permalink**) 23-01-2008, 03:41 PM

Hi KirstyB, good luck!! - maybe having 5 new ones might actually be easier. You know none of them will really know who is top chicken etc?! How many did you already have?

One thing I found kept my thug busy were those fat seed balls for wild birds - I hung them where she can just reach them. Because they are rock hard she has to really spend time chiseling away at them - unlike the whole lettuce she devoured in an hour!!

Birdie Wife · #21 (**permalink**) 23-01-2008, 03:52 PM

Oh heck. Might you have a little lad instead of a little lass? Might explain the chasing! If the others aren't laying they won't want to be mounted so they'll run away.

hedgie · #22 (**permalink**) 23-01-2008, 09:26 PM

Hi birdie wife the one thing I can say that I am 100% sure of about these chickens is that they are definately female! They are 3 yrs old and Speckle lays every other day - even when she was in solitary confiment!!

She does appear some what confused tho - seems to be a bit 'sexy' with Dodo her victim?! As well as the morning crowing!

Hormone imbalance treatment or counselling maybe?!!

Birdie Wife · #23 (**permalink**) 24-01-2008, 10:25 AM

Very odd. When I had only hens one of them started to crow - apparently it's uncommon but not unheard of. Where there is an all-female group, one will sometimes assume the role of a male (can include chasing, bossiness, crowing and even treading) and I heard of one case where a female actually turned into a male over a period of a few months

!! Most of the time is doesn't last that long. My confused girl crowed a bit, but yours seems to be really going for it! I would stay with it and hope she grows out of it. Mine did, before I got a rooster.