Author Topic: home alone chicken (Read 3507 times)

lyndapeckover · « **on:** November 11, 2010, 04:32:22 pm »

Hi folks , as a newbie I did not think that straight away I would be asking for help...but , up until yesterday we had 4 lovely old breed hens bought this year at point of lay , all super layers and no moulting , then we had a fox attack.We now only have the Light Sussex left and although she has no physical injury she seems totally traumatised.I 've tried her with Verm-X

poultry spice and a spray on rescue remedy but she seems to be pining for the others...what can I do ? lynda

CameronS · « **Reply #1 on:** November 11, 2010, 04:57:00 pm »

Welcome from fife

Keep her in a darkened room/box thus keeping her calm, leave her alone for an hour or so, feed her luke warm water from a spoon, small bowl etc, and some warm mash (confort food)

in the mean time re-fox proof the pen if she makes full recovery start looking for another 2/3 birds for company or rehome her and start fresh

good luck

cameron

doganjo · « **Reply #2 on:** November 11, 2010, 05:26:00 pm »

And if you say where you are, some kind soul on here may give you a couple of hens to keep her company.

faith0504 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 11, 2010, 05:51:11 pm »

sorry to hear about your fox attack, i hope she pulls through.

hi and welcome from moray

CameronS · « **Reply #4 on:** November 11, 2010, 06:16:40 pm »

Quote

And if you say where you are, some kind soul on here may give you a couple of hens to keep her company

if you are in/near fife, i will happily give you a couple of my older birds if you want

darkbrowneggs · « **Reply #5 on:** November 11, 2010, 06:59:58 pm »

Hi there and welcome from a very wet and windy Worcestershire.

Sorry to hear about your bad luck with the hens. Certainly poultry is very distressed and nervous after any attack (wouldn't we be?!!) I think the rescue remedy is a good idea. You could try putting a few drops in her drinking water, and to get her interested in other things how about some live mealworms, or even a few worms from the garden if you can find them. Keep her warm and give her time

All the best
Sue

little blue · « **Reply #6 on:** November 11, 2010, 10:13:03 pm »

poor girl... find her some friends Asap -though she might take a while to get used to them.
hope all goes well...

Hilarysmum · « **Reply #7 on:** November 12, 2010, 09:20:16 am »

Welcome.

We had a hunt dog attack yesterday, lost one layer and another quite traumatised. She appears to be recovering this morning. Its a real downer when this happens.

morri2 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 13, 2010, 05:34:38 pm »

Hello from north Wales. I'm a bit late, sorry, but I hope your little hen's OK.

Sylvia · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2010, 06:55:42 pm »

It's a sickening thing to happen but a lesson learned. Electric poultry fencing or a fox/badger-proof run is needed or if foxes are a big nuisance let your local hunt know. They may only catch a few but they will disperse them a bit.
Good luck with your little hen and I hope you soon get some new mates for her.

Daisys Mum · « **Reply #10 on:** November 13, 2010, 07:29:17 pm »

Hi and welcome from the Scottish Borders

Hope you have managed to sort out your lonely hen

moorlander · « **Reply #11 on:** December 05, 2010, 05:31:02 pm »

Hi there. sorry to hear about the fox. We have had the odd fox around here but so far one hasn't got through the fencing. There are also so many free ranging hens around my area that foxes don't have to look far for food.

I would agree with the above. Hens normally do not thrive alone. She will need some company sooner rather than later.
Why not try to get a few ex-batts who themselves are rather traumatised and they can all gain their self-esteem together?
As for the foxes, I do not know whether or not it is a farmer's yarn but I am assured they do not like the presence of dog or human urine. If you can arrange for the dog to oblige around the perimeter of teh run etc it might help deter the beasts. Otherwise it's down to physical protection and vigilance (though foxes don't conveniently appear when you are wating for them!).

every good wish and commisserations.