Fences for Bantams and a ninja hen

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Hello all
1st post!

I've just been lucky enough to have been given 5 hens and 2 bantams complete with hen houses, feeders and food. They belonged to a friend and were attacked by a dog in his field. He wanted them to go somewhere safe so he gave them to me because I'd been preparing my land to get some of my own. There's another hen which isn't doing too well, we're keeping a close eye on it and hopefully it'll pick up and join the other 5. They've got plenty of room - roughtly 25yds x 6yds with some willow to provide some cover.

I've raised the fence to a height of 6 feet but the wall my land backs on to is about 4 feet high. I've been told that bantams are flighty birds and will easily escape. I'm planning on putting up some more chicken wire to run along the top of the wall so there's 6 feet of fence all round. Would bantams still be able to make it over that height?
I'm not sure what breed they are but I think they're frizzles judging by the curly, fluffly feathers pointing in all directions. They don't look in the least bit aerodynamic and they look like novelty feather dusters that walk around on their own. They're very cute and a breeding pair. I'll post some pics if I can figure out how to do it.

The other hens are missing tail feathers because of the dog but otherwise seem to be settling into their new home. I let them out this morning and all 5 were there, when I came back to check on them at midday, one was missing. I looked over the wall to see if got into next doors garden and checked the other allotments, no sign. I eventually found her making her own nest under my trailer. She joined the other 4 later in the day and when I went out at dusk to close the hen house door, 4 were roosting and the other was missing again and she wasn't in her new nest under the trailer either.
I'm assuming this disappearing ninja hen has found somewhere of her own to roost overnight but I couldn't see her and hopefully she'll be there in the morning.

Is this hen the victim of a ruthless pecking order? Or is she just a 'chicken - no mates' :?:

I've got another hen house on its way, so was wondering if I should set it up for ninja chicken no mates to use?

Any advice is greatly appreciated

Osric
 
Hi Osric,
Welcome to the forum and the delights of chicken keeping,chickens are great and I'm sure you'll enjoy them.
Your fencing actually sounds fine,especially with raising the 4ft to 6ft.
The bantams you've described do sound like frizzles,this is really a type of soft feathering,although in this country we do seem to have Frizzles as a separate breed.They are not renowned for being great fliers but I have no personal experience of them myself.Some bantams are better at flying than other's,Sebright's,Nanno's are two that spring to my mind,but any chicken or bantam,regardless of it's flight ability will manage a further or higher distance if it is startled or frightened, due to the natural surge of adrenaline.
How long have you had them? I'm only asking as despite you having their house that they are used to,they will need time to settle in,get used to new/different smells,sounds etc.Their home has upped and moved which is stressfull for them.
Is it possible to put a temporary enclosure around their house just for few days to keep them contained whilst they acclimatise and realise their home is still safe and secure?
As for your Ninja Chick,I personally wouldn't make/buy an extra house just for her,but,encourage her to join the other's.An extra house or coop is obviously usefull,esp if you need to seperate one or more because of illness,injury or treatment,but she would be better roosting with the rest of the flock for warmth,companionship and security.
If you can find where she is roosting,pick her up and pop her into the hen house.After a day or two,she will probably start to roost their herself,but,if she's stubborn,it may take a bit longer.
If you can't find where she is roosting,try tempting her at dusk with her favourite treat,so you can pick her up.
With the one who is slightly off colour,buy some ACV(apple cider vinegar)and add it to all of their drinking water.It does need to be the un-refined ACV,which is available from farmer's feed merchants or equine suppliers.You put 10mls of ACV to a litre of water,and can be increased safely to 20mls for birds undergoing any sort of stress or illness.Also add garlic to their water on a daily bais,ACV is usually added for one week a month.
I am a complete newbie to chicken keeping,so other more experienced ppl will also offer advice,their exdperience will be more beneficial than mine.
Good luck and do let us know how you're getting on.
 
my pekins fly about 2 ft in the air but no more than that, mind you my garden is fenced on all sides 6 feet because of our dogs so i think you should be safe now
 
Thanks for the replies.

I'm about as new as you can get to keeping hens
I got them midday on Tuesday just gone so they've been mine for just over 48hrs. It took 24hrs before the bantams came out but they seem fine now other than getting the occasional peck from the bigger ones.
I'll be keeping an eye on them to make sure it doesn't become anything more.

The ninja seems to be settling down now, but noticed her head and tail were down today and she isn't eating as much as the others.
It's just turned dusk and it was fascinating watching them all suddenly wander into their houses within two minutes of each other!

I managed to get three of them to eat some wheat and bread out of my hand this afternoon, I'm hoping to get them friendly enough so that they're used to having me around and can be handled without causing them stress. Is this the right thing to do? I'm hoping they're going to be my little buddies.

I'll get some apple cider vinegar tomorrow. How much garlic should I add? Do I just get some fresh garlic, chop it up and chuck it in the water feeder?

Osric
 
Thanks for the link. Seems like good stuff, I think I'll get some for myself as well!

Osric
 
Welcome Ozric.

Sounds like you've had some good advice already but I just wanted to add that if there are foxes around, (most likely) 4ft is very easy for them to jump over so extending to 6ft would be beneficial to try to stop them. That said, I have seen a fox bound straight over a 5ft fence...

Make sure they are locked up at night securely, keep putting Ninja hen in until she gets the message. I doubt the pecking order is a problem for them if they lived together before, it's just a case of getting used to new surroundings.

You may want to have a look at our Absolute Beginners Guide to Keeping Chickens.

Have Fun!
 
Hi Osric,

Sounds like a good set up. People have given some good advice already.

Just wanted to chime in about your pair of bantams. You said they are both frizzles and a breeding pair. I'm not sure if you are aware but people don't advise (nor do breeders do this)to breed frizzle to frizzle. You need to breed a frizzle to a smooth feathered bird and the chicks will be a variety of smooth and frizzled. Breeding frizzle to frizzle leads to poor frizzle feathering where it doesn't sit as full, loses its frizz so to speak and generally does not improve on anything. Further breeding from the offspring will again result in poorer quality feathering. Frizzles are not a breed apart but they do have frizzle in many breeds of smooth chicken. When I began keeping frizzles I was not aware of the problems in feathering from breeding to each other but I luckily bought a mixed breeding pair of very good quality (I've never actually had a pair of breeding birds as good since alas :roll: )

I used to keep and breed frizzles and had many lovely frizzle chicks hatch from matings between a smooth Pekin cock bird and a frizzle pekin hen. I'd strongly advise for the future of your stock quality to look to getting a smooth bird to breed from the cock bird and don't use the eggs from the frizzle for hatching.

Frizzles, because of their feathering generally don't make great fliers. Depending on the breed though some can still get up to a fair height from a standing start as they sort of launch themselves upwards. But fly they won't. Well if they do manage it it'd only be a foot or two :lol:

What breed are your frizzle chooks out of interest?
 
Hello

Here is a blurry pic of my hens and bantams:

http://poultrykeeperforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=578&p=2102#p2102

I'm not 100% sure if the hen is a frizzle, she's certainly not as fluffly as her other half - says me, the hen owning veteran of 3 days! :?
I'll get some better pics over the weekend if they stay still long enough.

I visited 3 local suppliers of animal feed and none of them had apple cider vinegar. Looks like I'll be ordering some on pay day. I did buy something called 'liquid tonic' with added seaweed. I'm hoping this will perk them up a bit.

I noticed one of the big (Maybe Welsummers) hens is still looking very low. Her head and tail often drops and this afternoon saw her lying under the hen house with her eyes closing. I was just about to pick her up to lift her in the hen house but she suddenly got up and came back to life. I saw her drinking but she's eating much less than the others. I think this is the ninja that snuck off the other day. (Difficult to tell them apart, especially when I'm colourblind!)

The last hen that was badly shocked is coming tomorrow. I was planning on putting the ninja with the shocked hen in the lean-to at the back of my house so I can keep a close eye on them. I'm hoping that they'll give each other some company without being bothered and some peace then re-introduce them to the others when they look a bit more spritely. Am I doing the right thing? Any other ideas re caring for shocked hens?


Regards

Osric

PS. Are all bantams daft? Mine are bonkers!
 
In the pic of the banties it would seem to me you have a frizzle cock bird and a smooth hen. Although Pekins all have lots of feathering and its quite dense, there is a very marked difference between frizzle and smooth. The hen's feathering is lay flat and the cock birds is outward.

I'm afraid I don't have any real suggestions as to what might be wrong with the poorly looking hen. It may well be the beginning of the end. Often with chickens we don't actually realise they are ill till they are almost off the perch. So if she is showing obvious signs it may not bode well.

I'd personally keep her somewhere where you can see how much she eats, drinks and poos. A run and small house or hutch would be ideal. And when you get hold of her have a good feel all over to see if she has some meat on her or is bony and thin. She may need worming. Check her crop before she roosts (not in the day) and see how full it is. Then before you let her out in the morning to eat and drink, check it again. It should have emptied overnight. If it still feels full/swollen/hot to touch then she may have sour crop or impacted crop and we can advise you on how to treat both. Also check if its still full if its hard to the touch or softer and gooey feeling. It all helps.

Other things you can do are listen to her breathing. If she is raspy or wheezy it may indicate something amiss. Check her rear and feathers for signs of mites. All the general points, try to tick them off.
 
hi,
ACV (apple cider vinegar)is always in the equine section of a feed keepers store, along with other supplements,failing that,see if you have an equine feed stockist close to you.It is cheaper than the poultry drink,although small bottles of poultry drink can be a bit cheaper 'cos of the smaller quantity.
As for your chooks that seem a bit slightly under the weather,assuming they are suffering from the shock of the move,and not something more sinister,yes,keep those two together.Having them in your lean to sounds a sensible idea.They will have each other for company and it will be easier for you to monitor what they are actually eating and drinking.

Some mash could be easier for them to eat and digest,some feed merchants sell this lose,so you don't need to buy a large sack and would be sold as layers crumb.Just mix a small amount with hot water,add a dollop of probiotic yogurt if you have it.They also love ready brek or porridge,once again,mix with hot water and add a dollop of probiotic yogurt.
with all my chooks,I feed them pellets in the morning,some veg,and give a bowl of warm/tepid mash at lunch time.I make the mash with layers crumb every other day,so they are not getting too much of either ready brek or porridge.I also feed it at lunch time as I do want them to eat their hen food,and,when they are hungry in the morning they will tuck in,rather than ignoring it for mash(which they love)just like everyone really ;) .
A very good idea to check their crops as snifter suggested,bedtime and morning are the best times.You will quickly feel if full or empty.
Something else I would suggest,chooks are sociable and will enjoy it if you sit with them,and chat to them.
If this isn't practical,(too cold or wet)try putting a radio on a low volume with them to listen to.
Good luck and do let us know how they are.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone!

I've got the hen in my kitchen now, she's had a little drink of water with some liquid feed in and lifted her head for a little while before crouching down again. I've put a piece of wood in her box to perch on if she's up to it along with some water and pellets. I don't have any ready brek as yet but I can do some porridge in the morning for her. I'm tempted to put a tiny bit of sugar in there as well, is this wise? I'll play safe for now and just do the porridge tomorrow. I think I'll get some ready brek because I like it as well and haven't had it for ages! :)

As far as I can tell, there's no sign of mites on her or the other five, or the bantams. They all lived close to each other before coming to me and were all in good health before the dog incident.
They also had all necessary injections before my friend got them - not sure exactly what they are but apparently they had them all.

Just had to look up what a crop is! I'll check her in the morning, don't want to hassle her anymore tonight.

If she's stroked and spoken to then she'll stand and lift her head, but her eyes don't seem to open very well and her comb is dry. She seems alert enough when this happens but soon crouches down again.

Is it worth getting a small syringe or liquid dropper to get some extra fluid in her?
I saw some aniseed oil in one of the shops today, the guy said the hens would love a few drops of this in their food. Worth getting? They seem to enjoy their food anyway other than the two who are under the weather.

Osric
 
hi Osric,

If you go to the poultry keeper website (from this forum) there is a very good article written by Tim with a diagram of the chickens digestive system.I used it to check where their crop is before feeling some of mine's crops.
I have never tried aniseed for chooks,but,if it is usefull I'm sure someone else on here will have experience of using it.
Personally,I wouldn't add sugar to her porridge.She does need some food in her,and easily digestable food.
See how she goes with the porridge,make it with hot water but check how hot it is before you give it to her.
A hard boiled egg mashed into it would be better.Also,for one hen you will probably only need a heaped desertspoon of oats.
If she seems to have stopped eating completely,you could offer her a small amount of cat food.It was made illegal by defra to feed meat to poulty,but,this is for birds that the eggs/meat are being supplied commercially.Some people never offer cat food,other poultry keepers who keep their poultry purely as pets will offer it occasionaly when the birds are either moulting or unwell.Poultry eat slugs,worms,spiders any insect or bug they can find,so I personally don't have a problem offering a small amount of tinned cat food in an emergency.Some people use the kibble type,soaked in water.I personally think chooks prefer tinned or foil containers.Dog food is no use,it has a much lower protein content than cat(which is why cat food has always been dearer than dog)but cat food should also be better quality protein.
Their combes are meant to be dry,or is it very dry and flakey?If you are worried you could smear or rub either some human emollient cream into it or smear some cooking oil(olive or veg)onto it.
If she is actually having a problem opening her eyes,are they perhaps runny or crusty?Bathe them with some tepid water.
They do seem to enjoy Ready Brek,shops own brand is fine as long as you don't mind the taste :mrgreen: .
Good luck,I've got a vision of you sat eating your breakfast and her leaping onto your plate/bowl to grab some....or straight out of your hand :D .
 
A quick update.

Got the sick hen in the lean to with the other slightly under the weather ninja hen for company. She isn't drinking from the feeder so have been dripping drops of water on her beak and shes been drinking that. She's managed to take a few steps but let her head drop again soon afterwards

Hopefully she'll be a bit brighter in the morning
 
Oh dear :( ,that doesn't sound good.I do hope she is better on sunday,sounds like she needs veterinary treatment imo.Good luck.

will she eat?sounds as if she isn't,what if you hold a small bowl close to her?
 
Sorry to hear she is still poorly.

I'd isolate her from all your other stock in case what she has is infectious and is passed on to other hens. Putting her in with another bird is only risking their health.

It sounds to me like she may well be on the way out and if not eating or drinking is slowly starving to death. If she does not start to eat/drink or perk up in the next 24 hours and you do are not going to seek the opinion of a vet I'd consider putting her out of her suffering and dispatch her.
 
Well, I persevered with the sick hen but it stopped taking water even when dripping it on her beak, so had to make the decision to put her out of her misery.
She'd lost a lot of weight and I just didn't want to see the hen suffer anymore.
The hen was suffering so I did the right thing but still feel a complete ******* for taking a life :(

It should've been done last week when the dog first got to them but I had to give it a chance to pick up.

Todays task is to clean out the hen houses and treat the 5 healthy hens and 2 bantams to some corn to cheer myself up!

Osric the sad
 
sorry osric but you know you did the right thing :|
i hate it when you have to do the right thing it seems so wrong
 
One of the down sides to keeping animals is sometimes the decisions feel like they aren't ours to take. It sounds like you did the right thing though. Keep your chin up.
 
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