Unfortunately, Flo and Lola got into a bit of a pickle the other weekend. We'd been out at Burnham Market for the horse trials and came back to find just Ebb and Mrs. Tiggs wandering around the garden and plenty of piles of feathers littering the front garden. No sign of Lola and Flo, so we were a bit worried they'd been killed. We eventually found them in Jill's garden, looking a little worse for wear with Flo's missing her tail and both having the majority of their feathers at the tail end of their backs missing.
Flo with her missing tail!
We picked them up and took them home and had a good look over them. Both were sporting bite marks on their backs which were nasty - Lola's were quite deep. We bathed the sore areas in plenty of salt water and continued to do so over a couple of days. Neither seemed too bothered by their ordeal, although both decided to stay in the confines of the garden for about a week. We thought perhaps they'd learnt their lesson but no, they've returned to having their daily wanderings.
Our next door neighbour (the other side) said it was one of her daughter's dogs that went for them and she was so upset that it had happened. It was to be expected as the dog is a young Springer Spaniel, and we'd been warned she'd go for the hens should she come across them (we'd always said not to worry, if it happens, it happens). Luckily, the dog let go of them when commanded to do so, but Flo and Lola may not be so lucky next time.
I'm not too sure what to do to be honest, we've clipped their wings and cannot raise the fences any higher. I guess what'll be will be.
An unscathed Ebb, looking beautiful.
4 comments:
Aw, poor things! Hope they recover soon. I don't have any advice I'm afraid, as we've never had chickens, although have thought about it... Vic x
Thanks Vic. We've had chickens for a few years now, but started with just 2 (one donated, one ex-battery) that were never any trouble. Having 4 is quite an eye opener - the amount of poo is unbelieveable, and they're so mischievous!
Feel sorry for your tailless chicken, such a close call too, glad to hear the dog responded to it's owner and let go!
They look a pretty flock, we keep umming and arghing over whether to get a few for our garden. Have had them in the past and do miss them.
littleRamstudio - go for it - we love our "ladies"! Not only do they provide us with necessary eggs, they often provide us with lots of laughs too, especially when they follow me and down the road when I walk Poppy the dog, or when they spot something tasty "just over there" and run for it in their funny lopsided way.
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