heathercara
Chirping
Hi, All,
I have 6 hens of different breeds (2 bantams - a silkie and a cochin) and 1 accidental silkie roo. There are two chicken bullies who have been picking on my silkie girl really badly and took a chunk of skin out of her neck. I have separated the two bullies (Olive and Ruth), and I also brought Flotsam (the silkie girl) inside to get better. I also will be receiving pinless peepers today for the bullies. All of this was per my avian vet's recommendation, but I have a few questions.
1. I have my two bully girls together in a dog exercise pen (with a top) outside. They are able to see the other girls, and the other girls can obviously see them. When they are in "chicken jail", should they be out of eyesight of the other chickens? Like, should they essentially be grounded?
2. I feel bad keeping my silkie hen inside to heal. Should I keep her outside where the others can see her as well? I feel like my two bad girls should be in a crate indoors and my bullied girl should be outside in their pen. I could let her be outside and safe from pecking so she can scratch on the ground, and I could bring my bad girls into their indoor crates.
3. Anyone have any experience with this and/or pinless peepers? My girl is amazingly healing fast. I have an appointment with the chicken vet on Thursday, so any guidance until then is very much appreciated!
Heather
I have 6 hens of different breeds (2 bantams - a silkie and a cochin) and 1 accidental silkie roo. There are two chicken bullies who have been picking on my silkie girl really badly and took a chunk of skin out of her neck. I have separated the two bullies (Olive and Ruth), and I also brought Flotsam (the silkie girl) inside to get better. I also will be receiving pinless peepers today for the bullies. All of this was per my avian vet's recommendation, but I have a few questions.
1. I have my two bully girls together in a dog exercise pen (with a top) outside. They are able to see the other girls, and the other girls can obviously see them. When they are in "chicken jail", should they be out of eyesight of the other chickens? Like, should they essentially be grounded?
2. I feel bad keeping my silkie hen inside to heal. Should I keep her outside where the others can see her as well? I feel like my two bad girls should be in a crate indoors and my bullied girl should be outside in their pen. I could let her be outside and safe from pecking so she can scratch on the ground, and I could bring my bad girls into their indoor crates.
3. Anyone have any experience with this and/or pinless peepers? My girl is amazingly healing fast. I have an appointment with the chicken vet on Thursday, so any guidance until then is very much appreciated!
Heather
