Miss Eliza Chicken
Questions you are too scared to ask in public!
Do you need a cockerel to get eggs? No. You only need a cockerel if you want fertilised eggs (ie to breed). Hens will happily lay eggs without him. The words 'fish' and 'bicycle' come to mind!
What is that white stuff in their poo? Hens only have one 'exit' for everything - urine, poo and the egg. In the poo you will see brown (faecal matter) and white which is the urine.
What are the dangly flaps under their beaks called? Their wattles. They should be the same colour as their combs.
How do you pick up a hen? Stand behind the hen (it is good to distract her with some corn or other tasty treat) and bring your hands together gently but firmly round the widest part of her body. Pick her up, holding her wings firmly into her body. She will try to flap and there is little more painful than a wing slap in the face! More importantly she may injure herself! She may struggle so hold her firmly but gently until she quietens down. If you do not have a good grip, place her back on the floor, readjust your grip and pick her up again.
Once she is quiet bring her into your body so one side of her is nestling into you. This frees up one hand and you can support her under her chest and abdomen with the other whilst still keeping your thumb firmly over that wing! That free hand can always be used to cradle her a little more firmly if she starts to try and wiggle free.
My hens hate being handled, how can I dust them in louse powder? If you put a good sprinkling of red mite powder, louse powder and diatom powder in their dustbath, they will dust themselves!!
My friend laughed at me for taking my hen to a vet! Ignore them. And remove them from your Christmas card list.
Should I give my girls names? Of course!! Ex-batts need names, it gives them individuality and dignity. Very important after the life they have led.
Do you need a cockerel to get eggs? No. You only need a cockerel if you want fertilised eggs (ie to breed). Hens will happily lay eggs without him. The words 'fish' and 'bicycle' come to mind!
What is that white stuff in their poo? Hens only have one 'exit' for everything - urine, poo and the egg. In the poo you will see brown (faecal matter) and white which is the urine.
What are the dangly flaps under their beaks called? Their wattles. They should be the same colour as their combs.
How do you pick up a hen? Stand behind the hen (it is good to distract her with some corn or other tasty treat) and bring your hands together gently but firmly round the widest part of her body. Pick her up, holding her wings firmly into her body. She will try to flap and there is little more painful than a wing slap in the face! More importantly she may injure herself! She may struggle so hold her firmly but gently until she quietens down. If you do not have a good grip, place her back on the floor, readjust your grip and pick her up again.
Once she is quiet bring her into your body so one side of her is nestling into you. This frees up one hand and you can support her under her chest and abdomen with the other whilst still keeping your thumb firmly over that wing! That free hand can always be used to cradle her a little more firmly if she starts to try and wiggle free.
My hens hate being handled, how can I dust them in louse powder? If you put a good sprinkling of red mite powder, louse powder and diatom powder in their dustbath, they will dust themselves!!
My friend laughed at me for taking my hen to a vet! Ignore them. And remove them from your Christmas card list.
Should I give my girls names? Of course!! Ex-batts need names, it gives them individuality and dignity. Very important after the life they have led.
