Recent content by The Harlequin

>> flock position dynamics Yeah, he's always been Top Banana, obviously, as the only male, but when his comb got torn a few years ago the hens did peck at it mercilessly, and we had to isolate him for a few days until it healed. This time I don't see anyone picking on him, but he doesn't...

Our cockrell is pretty elderly (almost 7 years). In his early days he was very fiesty - I have the scar to prove it! - but in the past year or so has lost much of his bounce. In recent days he has struggled to walk, especially when first released into the run, falling on to his belly and...

Our 4-y-o cockerel has a raw, bald pink patch under his wattles; also his rear end is bright pink too. Other than not being as sprightly as he once was he doesn't seem to have other issues. Anything to worry about? I can take better pics later when he's roosting if needs be ... Thanks H

I wondered how others are finding general compliance on this? We've restricted our 14 hens to a tiny covered area. They seem lethargic, and egg productivity is down, but maybe it would be at this time of year. Wandering about my Somerset village I see that no-one else, including the farmers...

Yeah, I'm an idiot, soz. FOUR, not eight, original hens remain.

Yes. They are free to go anywhere including the house and the A-frame, but are locked only into the pen at night. During the day they are free to range wherever (within the wide confines of an electric fence). How big are the pens? (In feet or meters). The big pen is about 5m x 4m. The...

There are only 13. And they don't sleep in the coop. Nonetheless thanks for the link to the sanctuaries - some great ideas there!

Here are some pics. The original chicks, and the 4 added least year, have always roosted on the ugly old car-park railings thing. Unless broody they never roost in the chicken house itself, except very occasionally one or two might if the weather is foul (we have fairly calm winters in SW...

Hi We have 8 hens and a rooster about 3 years old which we have raised from hatching. I think they're RI reds. About a year ago we added a pair of buff orpingtons and a pair of australorps. These were initially timid but are fairly well integrated now. About 3 weeks ago we added 4 leghorns...

We did all that was suggested but she was so weak at the end of it, we decided to put her out of her misery. Need to be more on the ball next time. Thanks for the wise advice.

Thank you, on the case right now!

Her cloaca is absolutely swarming with maggots. It looks like Flystrike as described on another site.

Hi, thanks for the speedy and helpful suggestions. May you expand on this please?: "Most require an egg withdrawal time"? A vet isn't an option, btw.

Thanks. If she has lice wouldn't the others be suffering also? Cheers H

We have nine hens and a cockrell. 5 of the hens and the rooster were raised together and are now 3 years old. We added two buffies and 2 autralorps last autumn. One of the hens from the original batch is behaving oddly. I imagine she's ill. She's quite, but not desperately, slow. About a...