battery hens

[pittsburgh]

does anyone know why my battery hens are attacking each other? first of all i had to isolate one who was getting bullied. then i had to isolate one who the others had pecked and was bleeding. i have now had to isolate another one who has this morning been pecked until she also is bleeding. they are not bored as have plenty of space. they have fresh water and a good mix of food. i am using stockholme tar on the two injured ones.

[Mazziestar]

I read that 1tablespoon vinegar in 1 gallon of their drinking water helps. Also provide a "flock block" which is a block of seed for them to peck. Another says to put talc on the places where they are being pecked. Hang up fresh veg for them to peck and use something called Scarlex scarlet oil on the wounds. If only it were possible to let them out everyday?

[josaphine32]

Do you not have a seperate run that the injured chickens can go into to keep them safe, We had a problem last year, so i spoke to someone who reares them as a living, this is What he advised split the garden into two sections with chicken wire so they could all see each other but could not harm each other, at night they slep in different coops but can still see each other, switch the bedding every night so they all got used to each other smells, and then after a couple of weeks, when it was dark i was to go down douse every chicken with vinegar and warm water and put them all back together,
The breeder did say to me as long as they have enough room to escape form the one that is pecking them, I was to leave them well alone chickens pecking order does change, and they do challenge other chickens and they hate to be spied on.
good luck.
p.s
(My 2 cockrels sleep together all the time)

[Old_Geezer]

Ex battery hens I assume.
Hmm gay cockerels eh ? Reminds me of a joke.

[Khandro]

Don't you think that if you were crammed into a tiny space with several others you might start behaving similarly ?

[ruthann58]

how long have you had them if they have not been with you long the stronger ones will bullie the weaker as they get better they will sort theirselves out i had 1 that i used to take out and feed her seperately as the others didnt let her get any where near the food they are all together now and are free to roam during the day but shut in their run at night , i had one with a bleeding comb the other morning so their must have been a bit of scrap before they came out , have you dug a bit of ground over for them as they would rather scratch about on fresh earth you only need to dig about a meter square at a time and it will keep them busy for ages

[Helpful_Harry]

Many years ago I lived on a farm and in order to solve this problem we used to clip of the end of their beaks

[jomifl]

How kind...

[wildwood]

They probably come from different pens and even in that confined space they have a pecking order. As long as the weaker one stays subservient to the others it is safe.

At your place they need to establish a new pecking order and yes, the hurt one is best removed until it heals. it can be introduced slowly by having it is an all wire run in the middle of where the other ones 'graze'.

The bullied one was probably a top bird in a pen and thought the new lot should bow to her too, until she met another bird high in her hierarchy that was a bit fitter.

[Khandro]

Gasp !!!!!!!!!

[JonnyBoy12]

What lives in a chicken coop, lays eggs and tells jokes?

A comedi-hen!

[welshlibranr]

I hate the thought of battery hens!..........I only buy eggs from my local farmer, they are free range, I am happy to pay extra!............Hens should he free range!......I hate battery hen farming!.......they are not happy hens!.........surely you can see this!...........

[mrs.chappie]

"Does anyone know why my battery hens are attacking each other?"

It might be because they are used to that sort of behaviour and not used to having their freedom to roam.

I remember once hearing a report on the radio, about a dancing bear that was rescued from appalling conditions. The poor thing was depressed in his new, much improved surroundings. He'd sit in a corner, looking very sad, until someone put music on for him - then he would get up and start dancing.

A very sad story, but it was all he'd ever known. :o(

[Khandro]

100% with welsh. - it is cruelty personified to lock up a sentient being in a confined space, and what's more, unnecessary, as there are so many alternatives.

[JonnyBoy12]

What is electric and lays eggs?

A battery hen!

[RATTER15]

The whole battery hen thing should be illegal, disgusting practice!!

[tinpotLizzie]

You've had good advice from everyone. As well as temporarily moving the injured bird behind a wire netting screen, I use purple spray on my chooks, mostly ex-batts. This is not only antiseptic, it also deters other birds from pecking.
After a few days apart, try re-introducing her back into the hen-house at night.
As already said, there is always a pecking order so this has to be established before all settles down again.