QA

Questions you’ve been too chicken to ask

Our Vet Nurse, Gaynor Davies, has the answers to some of your most pressing hen-related questions

Q. What should I feed my hens when they are too old to lay? I’ve heard that they can get gout and heart failure if they get too much protein or calcium.

Gaynor says... Calcium and protein are still necessary for feather production and bone strength so a totally calcium free diet is not a good idea even for old hens. A mixture of commercial layers pellets and mixed corn at a 50/50 ratio will provide adequate nutrients whilst not giving excess protein or calcium. Vegetables straight from your garden can also be fed, but to feed them in small quantities as too many can cause diarrhoea. And remember it is illegal to feed kitchen scraps.

Q. What can you do when you see your ex-commercial hen shivering? I understand jumpers are not a good.

Gaynor says... It can be really tempting to cover up feather bare hens. The most important thing is to protect your new arrivals from wet and wind chill. Provide a cosy cardboard box within your chicken run filled with bedding materials that the hens can nestle into and ensure they have access to tepid water to drink and good quality feed. Jumpers can be more of a nuisance than a help as hens get their nails caught in them and the jumpers can get wet or soiled and can rub against their skin.

Q. Is it normal for hens to peck at each other’s feathers? I have 13 and they all do it occasionally – is it a habit? Cleaning each other? Are they bored?

Gaynor says... Hens in a group will groom each other to a degree, as well as indulging in dust bathing and individual preening, to keep their feathers in tip top shape. Occasionally hens will begin non-injurious feather pecking which can become habitual and could be a sign of boredom. A contented flock will often peck at facial feathering, combs and wattles too. If you have limited outside space, consider different methods of enrichment such as providing them with a straw bale or a plastic bottle hung up with holes cut in it filled with corn or treats. These will provide entertainment and stimulus (remember to clear up any spilt feed every day to discourage vermin). Access to a dust bath or hanging vegetables will also help. When hens sprout new quills their flock mates may peck at them knowing they are both tasty and packed with calcium and protein so be sure to have distractions at the ready.

Q. Why don’t most ex-commercial hens have feathers on their backs or bottoms when coming out of the farms?

Gaynor says... This is due to a number of factors. Commercial units tend to be fairly warm and hens shed their feathers as a cooling mechanism, much like us stripping off on a hot day. Hens can also feather peck their flock mates out of boredom if they are housed in very close quarters. Finally, nutrition plays a big part in feather production and getting the feed ratio wrong can impact their feather cover. However bare bottoms are nothing to be concerned about and most hens will quickly get their fluffy knickers back.

Q. Even though they’ve integrated into the flock, our hens still don’t sleep on the perch at night and will sleep in the nesting boxes away from the others. I put them on the perch but they’re always back in the nest boxes in the morning. Is there any reason they might be doing this?

Gaynor says... Commercial hens from caged units have only ever had access to rudimentary perches low to the ground and are not used to the type of perches found in domestic hen houses. Never having had access to a nest box they prefer to sleep there and need time to adapt to normal perching behaviour. Chickens are prey animals and it is in their nature to seek high perches at night once they have regained their leg strength. Try closing or covering your nest boxes at dusk before they come in to roost and eventually they will get the idea.

Q. My middle-ranking girl spends a lot of her time ‘kissing’ the top girl’s face – gently pecking around her wattles. The top girl doesn’t seem to mind and lets it happen for a few minutes before getting bored. What is all that about?

Gaynor says... Face pecking can be a sign of affection and also establishes the hierarchy within the flock. It can be a way to socialize by getting birds into close proximity. Consider this to be a sign of a contented flock.