The Poultry Keeper

briancowell · Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Co Durham

I have three hens 2 welsummers and a wyandotte(phoenix) about eight-nine months old. They are get on well in the run and when out loose in the garden, but recently I have noticed one of the welsummers(Petra) pecking phoenix on the head when they are inside on the perch. Today I even saw her lean down whist she was on the perch and peck Phoenix when she was in the nest. Phoenix just cowers when attacked. Phoenix is also broody how easy is it to stop her she is very determined this is her second broodiness. Any advice?

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

Normally if you have a abroody hen you need to cool her down. If you hold her you will feel how warm she is for brooding. I used to make my 'would be' broodies go out of the run and free range all day, just to keep them out of the nest boxes. They do eventually cool down, but you need to be more determined than she is. I had to put mine out for probably 2 weeks before she stopped rushing back in the house at the first opportunity.
With regard to the pecking ~ is the welsummer drawing blood on the wyandotte? Is she showing red where she is being pecked? Chickens are attracted to the colour red and if the site it red it will just encourage her all the more. If it has become red, put some gentian violet spray on it ~ its an antiseptic as well being purple in colour (so watch your hands!). I believe there is also something you can get, called anti peck spray ~ http://www.domesticfowltrust.co.uk/health2.html
that would help too.

Let us know how you get on with both problems.

CP · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 2:11 am Post subject:

Exactly what summayah says.

We have 4 broodies at the moment & it's difficult to isolate them from the nestboxes. We have to keep removing them several times a day & they eventually get the message. Rolling Eyes

NannyP · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 9:52 am Post subject:

I have a large, indoor guinea pig cage. Broodies spend a few days in here, which is not so comfortable and cools them down. After a few days, they normally go back to free ranging Very Happy