The bullying at the feeders continues. I thought Dotty may have learned her lesson but that only lasted a day and yesterday Pepper joined in with pecking Bluebell away. Bluebell and Treacle also squared up to each other with chests out and ruffs raised. I was surprised at Bluebells bravery, yet she never pecks at anyone. Later at the feeder, Treacle was pecking Bluebell away too. I feel so sorry for her as everyone picks on her. She comes and stands by me and clucks as if to say “sort this out for me” and I can’t resist, so move the others away and let her back in. She looks to me as her protector. I decided that this had gone on long enough and it was time to use the water spray (thank you for the tip, Flock Mistress). I sat in front of them and every time any of them pecked Bluebell I said “no” and squirted them. They would run off and sulk and soon were very wary of the spray. Only Bluebell is unafraid of the spray as she knows it’s not for her. I think it will take a little while to work but am hopeful that they will get the message in time.
Later we threw in some leaves for the chickens to scratch through, which they had great fun with.
Fun scratching in the leaves
Today I decided to give them one of the pots of lettuce that I have been growing for them, to give them a break from the feeders and spraying.
Bluebell is always the first to spot something new
Dotty is next to spot the lettuce
Bluebells loose tail feathers have now fallen out and she looks much neater.
Soon they all join in
The lettuce rapidly disappears
In this photo you can see how different Dotty and Pepper look. Dotty is on the right and is about a month younger than Pepper. She still has her baby shape and is the only one who still has her baby voice, yet despite this she is the worse bully. I did see Treacle peck Pepper out of her way today for the first time so wonder if Treacle is now trying to take top hen position. I only wish Bluebell would stand up for herself, she is the only one that I have never seen peck at any of the others.
Not much left now
This was what was left when I returned an hour later.
All gone
I think they enjoyed that.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
I think it’s always fun to see the ‘after’ picture when they have totally decimated something!
It’s amazing how enthusiastically and efficiently chickens can remove vegetation. My garden still hasn’t recovered from the chickens and that was over a year ago! (Although that is partly down to my own laziness).
I agree, I thought the lettuce could keep them happily pecking away most of the day but no, they keep at it until it’s gone in record time! I can only imagine what they would do to the garden if allowed.
The parsley pot has grown back to how it was before I gave it to the chickens but I know if I put it back in, they will strip it in about ten minutes.
Both the big shrubs in the chicken enclosure have had the leaves eaten to chicken stretch hight and it’s funny to see them now doing a standing jump to reach more.