How Quickly Does Albendazole Work?

[One_Box]

I fitted these to three of my girls a month ago and to start with all seemed well. Coco's feathers at the base of her tail grew really well and then over last weekend they were pecked out again

 

When I examined my hens this morning I found that in all cases both the top and bottom beak in way of the anti-peck ring had worn allowing the end of the beak to close

 

I have now removed the rings with the aid of a pair of snub nosed pliers and do not intend to fit them again.

 

My real surprise is that the plastic the rings are made of must be harder than the chooks' beak

 

I think the next step is to purchase some Ukadex as normal anti-pecking sprays seem to have no effect at all on my girls

 

Any feedback would be appreciated

[Egluntyne]

They usually wear out and fall off. Persistent offenders may need to have them reapplied.

 

Alternating them with straightforward anti-pecking rings allows the beak to wear down in an more even fashion.

[One_Box]

Thanks Egluntine, after my experience don't really fancy bumper bits as an alternative so will go with Ukadex when I can get some. Funnily enough OH's bantams are as good as gold, - only time we see any feathers lying about is when they are moulting.

[miffy]

Today I found Primrose badly pecked again, I thought perhaps she was doing it to herself but when I sat and watched Daisy is pecking her and pulling out her feathers. I got the bumpa bits from Wernlas and fitted them 4- 6 weeks ago. Primrose was fully recovered I'm really fed up about it.

I have had no luck finding Ukadex in stock anywhere on line tonight, have you had any luck??

[Groovychook]

Oh no miffy, I'm really sorry to hear you've got problems again

Hope you manage to find some ukadex

[One_Box]

Miffy, I have just ordered some Ukadex from a firm who I hope will deliver at much reduced cost to those usually mentioned on this forum. I need to make sure that everything checks out OK first, but hopefully I will post the results in a day or two when I have the goods

[miffy]

Thanks one-box I think we will all be grateful for finding cheaper suppliers

[LJ's Chooks]

Our girls have had bumper bits fitted since may last year. We find that after about 6 to 8 weeks the bits seem to wear in some way and the girls can pull feathers. so we change them every other month or when the first one drops off.

 

Strangely, we started to notice a problem a month ago. we never put a bit on the bottom chook in the pecking order... and noticed feathers were going missing on all the girls except her.... she now has one fitted and feathers are re-growing.

[The Dogmother]

They do wear through, but not usually that quickly!

[One_Box]

Has anyone noticed whether bumper bits cause damage ie indentations in the beaks of your hens?

[miffy]

Not noticed any, but will check when MiL has them out this afternoon

[One_Box]

Thanks miffy, don't want to try bumper bits if they are going to give me the same problems as anti-pecking rings