[northfifeduckling]

I gave the new mother a mustard filled egg today and she went straight for it, chick in tow! How many times do I have to do that until she forgets how nice eggs taste?? They would be so ready to go with the big ones now but I don't dare to let them out of the eglu prison until this is resolved!
Sitting there watching I also noticed that our boy has hardly any feathers above his bum. I think he's been pecking at them,  what could the cause of that be??

[shetlandpaul]

have you checked for lice.

[Roxy]

Some of my chicks had bare bottoms, and then I discovered red mite in their little coup.

You hen likes mustard then.  Thinking about it, the hens pinched my ham and mustard sandwich yesterday, and wolfed it down!!

[northfifeduckling]

Cockerel was dusted this morning for fleas and I check each night for mites - no sign of them thank goodness.
He also escaped this morning to be with mum and baby  and I suppose it will be hard to separate the family again...She didn't finish the mustard egg, don't think she liked it, hopefully that cured the urge 

[egglady]

i wish you luck with curing the habit Kerstin.......we tried everything (including the mustard egg) but she still pecked every egg she saw......

[dizzy1pig]

try a ceramic one..... she cannot break that

[northfifeduckling]

she broke the mustard egg and left me one of her own intact this morning! Fingers crossed!! Then she abandoned the youngster  on its own in the eglu...Hormons are all back in place