4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[AJuff]

My rescued marans have bald patches still after five months with me!!!

I've tried ukadex (YUK!) without success after two applications (horrid stuff made all the garden smell too!!!). I have now sprayed them with purple spray (and accidently sprayed a few wing feathers on my beautiful white Amber Star!!!).

How does purple spray work?

Edited January 31, 2009 by Guest

[bronze]

Its an antiseptic but is main use is that it covers any red. Chickens see red and attack

[AJuff]

Ahh I see. Thank you.

[AJuff]

Well I've applied purple spray twice as it didn't seem to stay on first time. I inspected them again today and there's no purple left!! Do I need to apply it every day? I thought it stained?

 

I've tried ukadex (two yucky applications) and two sprays of purple and she still has a totally bare bottom!!! Should I put on 13 bumper bits????????? Or separate them until feathers grow back???

 

Help????

[chelsea]

we used both purple spray & ukadex combined.

 

We usually apply the purple spray first to discolour the area and then spray the ukadex around the vicinity of the pecked area to deter the pecking. We would apply both 2-3 times a week.

[AJuff]

Thank you, I will persevere . . .

[Snowy]

Ajuff I sympathise - I am having the same problem with my new girls. Only 2 have bare bots and at one point their feathers were regrowing, but they have been pecked out again, and now one of my older girls has also gone knickerless This is despite loads of space and stimulation and repeated applications of ukadex. I think it does need to be reapplied more regularly so I am stepping that up at the moment. I have some purple spray, but not tried that yet - going for the bad taste approach! They definitely don't like it - one got a faceful when she stuck her beak in as I was spraying her friend - you should've seen the spitting and beak wiping!

[The Dogmother]

I'm sure that you're aware, but they are two completely different products for different jobs:

 

Purple spray: a disinfectant, which is also coloured to hide any redness or blood, so discouraging pecking. Use on any sore areas or broken skin.

 

Ukadex: yucky stuff to stop them pecking - bit like the Bitter Aloes we used to have on our nails as children. It does need to be reapplied daily if possible to be totally effective.