The Poultry Keeper

NannyP

Thunderbolt, the might Buff Pekin is not a happy boy this evening Very Happy

He is locked in the guinea pig cage for bullying Ratchett. I have noticed over the last few days that he's been giving her a really hard time and she has been pecked on her comb and has been losing blood Evil or Very Mad

He is now locked in the cage, in the run and will be there for a few days in the hope that when he comes out he'll be a little more polite. I wouldn't mind but he's on half her size, she's a Welsummer hen and was top of the pecking order originally.
In retrospect, I have noticed her being far more anxious and nervous of late, so I hope this works.

CP · Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 2:59 am Post subject:

What a naughty boy. I hope he learns some manners while he's in solitary! Rolling Eyes

I think it is fairly unusual for a cockerel to bully a hen - you sure he's not just trying to mate with her & getting a bit over enthusiastic? He is a young chap isn't he? Embarassed

Knobby · Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:38 am Post subject:

Its the other way round with mine......the girls usually pick on the cockerel.......not in a nasty way....they just start tugging on his neck feathers....he doesnt mind too much and lets them get in with it ! I suppose thats where the saying "Hen Pecked" comes from............he gets his own back when hes feeling randy tho' !! Very Happy

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I hope he learns his manners NannyP ~ it's not fair to pick on the older girl is it ~ but like CP says maybe he's not quite got the knack of what he's supposed to do with the girls

NannyP · Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 7:02 pm Post subject:

Oh don't worry, he knows what he's doing alright. H does it wherever and whenever he pleases and has no sense of shame, in front of me Wink

I think she may be refusing his advances and I am not happy to see her all bloody.
We'll see what happens in a few days Very Happy

madslg · Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 298 Location: Farnham

fingers crossed for ratchett!

NannyP · Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 6:43 pm Post subject:

I let him out this afternoon and I can here her being attcked again. She's bleeding from her comb and I've got some gentymicin spray which I've put on. Guess who is going back into solitary for much longer this evening Evil or Very Mad

If I could find a white spray, she'd have a red, white and blue comb Very Happy

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Sorry to hear Ratchett got hurt again ~ he's not a very kind boy is he?

CP · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 1:45 am Post subject:

Poor Ratchett. Sad

You could try those anti-peck bits NannyP, might save her getting a bloody comb. Confused

NannyP · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:00 pm Post subject:

What are they Jakki? Not heard of them, ....I think?
She is the only one he treats that way, the others are fine and do there duty Wink

If he doesn't stop I think I'll offer him up along with his sister to another home, failing that he'll be culled.
Sad

mojo · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:47 pm Post subject:

you can purchase a small plastic clip thingy that goes on the beak clipping via the nostril holes that prevents coqs pecking other birds...never used it only seen it on.....like tiny red sunglasse..............bet someones tried them...........luv mojo

NannyP · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 6:39 pm Post subject:

How would he eat??? Shocked

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

They can still eat with them on, it has no effect on that. But, I believe they can't close the beak close enough for the thinness of a feather.
http://www.bellsouth.com.au/webframe.html

Hope that helps ~ it looks different than I thought it would

CP · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:47 pm Post subject:

They're also known as chicken spectacles.

http://www.ascott.biz/item306.htm

Don't know where you'd get them one at a time though - you wouldn't need 100! Shocked

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Maybe someone on here has used them with theirs and has a spare pair you could have