HELP aggressive chicken

[GEB]

I went to let the chooks out today to find my poor sweetie has had her bottom plucked and its sore and bloody

I know Ginger is the culprit and I'm finding myself hating her!

They have a big run and I give then as many distractions as i can, greens to peck etc but still she gets bored and plucks and eats my sweeties feathers. Previously she hasn't drawn blood, and once they were able to free range a bit more she seemed to stop. But it seems that being in the run during the day is too long and I can't provide enough stimulation as now it's worse than ever. After today the anti peck ring is definatly going on.

I don't feel good about her having it on though, and she wouldn't be able to eat grass etc that she loves.

The only other option I can think of would be to let them free range all day and only lock them in at night, but no one would be home and who knows how long it would take Mr fox to discover them.

I feel so upset by this...I feel that all that I read prior to getting my chooks was misleading as I thought I was providing a happy home for them and now I find that it is not enough. I love having my chooks, and they are so content wandering the garden, but I worry that I'm just subjecting them to a life of misery in a cage ( all be it a big one) by keeping them in a run.

I'm starting to wish I didn't have her

[cluckbok]

Hi ya,

 

Sorry you upset by your naughty chook. Have you tried an anti-peck spray? I've even heard someone suggest on here putting a bit of mustard on the victim, though obviously above the sore area, dunno how efficient that is though.

 

I would try anti-peck or the bumper bit like you said. I'm sure your hens are otherwise very happy in their run and their home, you have to remember and think of the battery hens how much space they have and compared to them your giving them a great life. We only let ours out a couple of hours each day, maybe a bit longer on the weekends if we are around. Should think someone else will be a long in a mo with some more ideas.

 

I hope you get on ok and that it settles down.

[BeckyBoo]

Or rehome her, you don't have to live in misery because of one hen. If she's taken in by someone else and a new flock she'll be bottom of the pecking order at least to start with. It is acceptable to rehome your hens if they've become bullies, other people have done it. You will breathe a sigh of relief. But give her time with the anti-peck ring, you never know, it might do the trick. In the meantime you could always make enquiries with any local farms or tourist type farms, you know the sort of places I mean, they may be ha[ppy to take her if the peck ring doesn't work out

 

Mrs B

[Egluntyne]

Difficult isn't it. I find my Attilla hard to like sometimes. In fact this afternoon she had to have a bit of "guidance" with the toe of my boot to prevent her attacking Artemis Fowl. who is twice her size, and twice as stupid.

 

See how you go with the anti pecking ring and I would spray her victim too.....you never know, a double whammy might just do the trick.

 

Best of luck.

 

 

Nil desperandum.

[AJuff]

A bumper bit will change your opinion of her.

 

One of our new hens took a liking for pulling and eating tail feathers so a bumper bit was fitted. It's put her firmly in her place! The others are now recovering . . . . how long before fluffy knickers grow back?

[Trapper]

GEB

 

Sorry to hear about your problem chickens.

 

Boy do I know what you are going through. Have pm'd you what happened to me and the current situation.