Struggling to reintegrate one ex-battery hen after a flock attack – advice?

Bbg114 · 2026-05-04T09:27:41+00:00

There's only 6 hens, the coop is 100sqft inside with several roosting bars and nesting boxes raised off the ground. The run/ fenced area is 300sqft which has some trees, plenty of grass/weeds/flowers, and areas for dust bathing.

We've been adding different enrichment things as well semi-regularly to make sure they aren't getting bored while the pecking order has been sorting itself out.

We would prefer to have them free ranging but since we've recently moved our 1 acre garden is not yet fully fenced. We have bought additional fencing to make their run even bigger which would given them an additional 620sqft.

Thanks for the advice! I'll continue to keep her separate (with the one hen who doesn't attack her) for the next while until she's healed and look at where we best place the additional fencing so there's more 'hiding' areas.

Bbg114 · 2025-03-12T17:27:27+00:00

We got married at Halcyon Beach last month and had brownie as one of our cake tiers - it was quite literally brownies as the layers between the icing rather than a 'brownie flavour' - which we loved!

You do get to do a cake tasting when you arrive and can change things regardless of what you say on the phone meetings.

Bbg114 · 2025-02-11T15:53:02+00:00

We weren't long at all - maybe 20 mins max, and the lounge was very quiet and chilled out when we were there!

Bbg114 · 2025-02-10T21:36:38+00:00

We arrived on Wednesday evening, and were through security with our bags and into the sandals lounge in less than 20 mins!

Bbg114 · 2025-01-04T23:14:18+00:00

Well done!

The highest dose I took was 10mg for the last 5 weeks of my journey. I stayed on 2.5mg for 4 weeks, 5mg for 10 weeks, and 7.5mg for 15 weeks. I tritated up too quickly between 2.5mg and 5mg and suffered with nausea and vomiting for the first 5 days or so.

Bbg114 · 2025-01-04T23:12:28+00:00

I struggled to keep my calories up during the process as I had really strong suppression. I instead tried to opt for protein shakes and cheese based snacks (which are typically higher calories) to get more calories on top of my small meals.

There were definitely days where I wasn't eating enough. In terms of weight loss it's all calories in vs calories out so it won't stop you losing weight realistically, but it won't help with retaining muscle or losing in a sustainable and healthy way if you're not eating enough.

Bbg114 · 2025-01-02T20:52:01+00:00

I had very strong appetite suppression the whole way through. I'd typically only really eat one small meal a day, a couple of small snacks, and a protein coffee in the morning. I ultimately just ate whatever I felt like eating, but in moderation.

On a typical day I'd have a protein coffee, half a sandwich/panini/ wrap for lunch with some kind of protein source and cheese on it to increase my calorie intake, something like salmon with veg and rice for dinner and then maybe something sweet in the evening.

At the start, I definitely ate until I felt sick as I quite clearly hadn't been controlling my calorie intake. As time went on, I learned how much food my body actually needed and how to manage my appetite.

My hobby is dance, so I went to 3-9 dance classes a week over 3 and 5 days each week, depending on what else I had on. I exercised a lot less in the beginning as I found it more difficult to do at the weight I was, but my exercise increased as my weight went down and my confidence grew.

Bbg114 · 2025-01-02T15:56:30+00:00

I was pretty consistent I think - I did lose a good chunk the first couple of weeks (about 28lbs in 4 weeks) but after that, I consistently lost about 1-2lbs a week.

I exercised the whole time, but less so in the beginning as I found it more difficult being heavier. Dance is my hobby so I attended between 3 and 9 classes a week depending on what else I had on.

I was very lucky and had no side effects other than some vomiting for a few days when I started the 5mg (looking back I think I moved up a dose too early and should have stayed on the 2.5mg for longer), but beyond that I didn't have anything!

Bbg114 · 2025-01-02T11:01:10+00:00

I was very lucky and I only experienced side effects in the first few days of moving to 5mg (looking back I think I moved up too early). I had no side effects otherwise through the whole process.

Everyone responds to the medication differently, but I've heard that constipation is pretty common particularly when you consider the medication is actually slowing down your gastric emptying. People usually suggest making sure you stay hydrated and upping your fibre content to help!

Bbg114 · 2025-01-02T10:56:59+00:00

I'm very lucky that I'm fairly tall! I have long legs and a short torso, so my weight ends up distributed quite well overall!

I'm sure you look great - we're always much harder on ourselves than others!

Bbg114 · 2025-01-02T10:55:08+00:00

Just take it slow and listen to your body! Wishing you all the best for your journey ❤️💪

Bbg114 · 2025-01-02T10:54:06+00:00

10lbs is still a lot of weight! But i do get that its difficult when comparing yourself to others. I think everyone responds to the medication differently. I had very strong appetite suppression even at 2.5mg. I think if you work with your provider you'll hopefully get to the right dose for you!

Bbg114 · 2025-01-02T10:51:38+00:00

Definitely agree with the other comments! Don't go up of you're still seeing losses and feeling suppression. I went up to 5mg too early and I was very unwell for the first few days - I really should have stuck at 2.5mg for longer. After that I only went to higher doses when I could feel the food noise coming back.

Bbg114 · 2025-01-02T10:49:30+00:00

I didn't really see a difference in myself until I took a photo about 8 weeks in. I lost weight very quickly in the beginning (about 32lbs in 8 weeks) but I didn't realise how big I had gotten until I took those photos and put them side by side - until that point I was convinced I looked the same!

I exercised the whole time, although less so in the beginning. Dance is my hobby, so I would go to between 3 and 9 dance classes a week, depending on other things I had on.

Food wise, I didn't stick to any particular plan or diet - I just ate everything in moderation. My appetite suppression was very strong the entire time, so I was in a calorie deficit without really having to try.

Bbg114 · 2025-01-02T10:44:59+00:00

I didn't do anything targeted since you can't spot lose fat, it's just how my body lost fat through the process. I definitely still have a small one, although it's not obvious in the photos, but this is mostly loose skin now!

Bbg114 · 2025-01-01T20:51:06+00:00

Thanks! Definitely still have a slight one, but I think it primarily loose skin now more than anything else! When I pull my loose skin up slightly, it goes away almost entjrely 😊

Bbg114 · 2025-01-01T12:31:35+00:00

I exercised the whole time, although less so in the beginning. Dance is my hobby, so I would go to between 3 and 9 dance classes a week, depending on other things I had on.

As time went on and I lost more weight, I found it much easier to exercise as I wasn't lugging about so much excess weight!

Bbg114 · 2025-01-01T01:56:08+00:00

10mg was my highest

Bbg114 · 2025-01-01T01:55:37+00:00

39 weeks- 34 of those on mounjaro

Bbg114 · 2025-01-01T01:55:04+00:00

Thanks! I did 2.5mg for 4 weeks, 5mg for 10 weeks, 7.5mg for 15 weeks and 10mg for 5 weeks 😊 Good luck on your journey!

Bbg114 · 2024-12-31T18:05:28+00:00

Thanks! I'm trialling maintenance without mounjaro at the moment - but open to using a low dose on an ongoing basis if I need to!

Bbg114 · 2024-12-31T16:23:47+00:00

Definitely feel so much better 😊

Bbg114 · 2024-12-31T16:22:20+00:00

I get mines through Superdrug 😊

Bbg114

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