effingpot Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 In the last few days my 6 birds have started pecking each other. It's not aggressive and it does not seem to bother them too much but it seems odd. At first it seemed to be near their bums (not that close) but it's all over their back end. I don't see anything unusual on the birds and wonder what they are up to. Any thoughts welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 have you got stuff in their run for them to play with and peck.... i'd always consider bordom or lice first if you've not had a history of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
effingpot Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share Posted February 6, 2009 is there a way to tell if they have lice? Didn't think about that one - how do you get rid of them if so? thanks Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 We use Xeno 200 - from the vets but lots of other invermectin based products are talked about on the forum or powder or DE. You need to catch one of the girls and have a rummage in their feathers - tiny little running specks in the base of their feathers or around the vent. do a search under lice on the clinic and you'll find loads of advice... If they look to be generally itchy and preening more than usual etc is a tell tale sign Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 If they have loce there will be clumps of eggs visivble at the base of the feathers, especially around the vent. You may see the adults among the feathers too. Xeno 200 *Not licensed for use on poultry in UK will treat them. The dose is repeated after a week. There is an egg withdrawal period during treatment and for one week after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
effingpot Posted February 7, 2009 Author Share Posted February 7, 2009 Well I've been and had a closer look up their back ends and to be honest I can't see any eggs or creepy crawlies. However there are lots of little black flecks that look like mud flicked up from the snowy muddy run they now seem to inhabit. And several seem to have lost lots of feathers right underneath - not near their vent but in between their legs. They all seem quite happy otherwise and I've not seen any pecking each other for last 2 day so maybe they are just normal and I'm turning into a chicken hypochondriac! (http://www.etherington.com/images/ee1.jpg) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncs Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 And several seem to have lost lots of feathers right underneath - not near their vent but in between their legs. They all seem quite happy otherwise and I've not seen any pecking each other for last 2 day so maybe they are just normal and I'm turning into a chicken hypochondriac! I have the same problem - my 3 are all bare between the legs which does concern me during this cold and snowy weather. Do you let yours out of your run much and have they got access to a dirt bath area? We had a fox a short while ago (with a very close escape - that's another story) so I had to confine them to their run and the baldness started after (I think). Not sure what I can do to help them and make sure it doesn't get any worse. Duncs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
effingpot Posted February 7, 2009 Author Share Posted February 7, 2009 I keep mine in their run - it's a reasonable size with bushes and perches and space. You can see part of it in the photo in the last post. I let my last lot out and regretted it at 4am each morning in teh summer when they queued at the gate "shouting" to be let out! Not falling for that again! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
