I telephoned Forsham Cottage Arks today enquiring about an extension for our Boughton chicken ark. Since the latest fox-escapades I don't think it's wise to keep tempting fate and the girls have been put under strict house arrest! I have been advised on several occassions that the Boughton unit is perfectly big enough for only 3 chickens but I can't help but think that a extension run would make their lives happier and healthier especially in a permanent position. So a phone call later and an extension ordered I happened to mention that our chickens have been suffering from bald bottoms and I wasn't sure what to do about it. A lovely lady called Cindy spoke to me and we went through lots of possibilities such as stress, a lack of protein in their diet or bullying; none of which appear to be relevant although it may be that they have developed over the summer a preference for corn over their layers pellets which may have something to do with it. So I'm going to try reducing their treats and checking for mites as a first instance and see how that fares. Fingers crossed they'll have fluffier bums in a month or so!