tania Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 We have had our lovely chickens for a week and the smallest of them, Martha, is being pecked by one of the others (Diana). It's not a frantic bullying pecking it's just seems to be every so often. She is getting very bald on her back just where her tails feathers start (she's got fabulous glamorous tail feathers) ad working back towards her head. There was a bit of blood on Saturday, not since but the pecking hasn't stopped. I have been putting on purple spray, is this enough? Will it stop on it's own accord? Will new feathers grow? I'm getting very worried. She is not scared of Diana and the third one isn't pecking her at all. She is eating well and is full of spirit and life when free ranging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingRamses Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Hi Tania We have had the same with ours on and off, it is all to do with the pecking order which they need to sort out amongst themselves although it is awful to watch. We have one main culprit who pecks the bums of the two girls above her and backs of those below. If the bleeding gets bad you will have to isolate the injured hen, there will be lots of advice from the friendly lot on this forum, good luck with it. I saw your post just after I posted mine. Sadly we lost a Bantam today, it got in with the big hens and was attacked. She was put down by the vet and we are absolutely devastated. This was exceptional, I am sure your girls are just sorting out their pecking order and it will be sorted out within a couple of weeks. All the best. Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tania Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 Hi Simon Oh how sad I am so sorry for you . I am amazed how attached we have become to 3 little chooks in such a short amount of time. Thank you for your advice I guess it's just a matter of time (just hope I can last, let alone Martha) Will keep you posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 the only thing that worked for us with pecking was an anti peck spray called Ukadex (smells disgusting ) but it works. Just a suggestion, it might be worth putting things to distract the hens in the run (hanging up vegetables or a peck a block for example) may keep their mind off pecking your little girl, perches in the run (if you have room) may also give her an area to escape to. Putting the feed in the run into several "feed stations" rather than in just the one lone station may also help as then they can not bully her when she is trying to eat and everyone has their own eating zone. Keep an eye on her, if it persists and she really does get pecked (and blood is drawn) you will need to seperate the injured hen until she is properly healed. Last resort - bumpa bit. ( I didnt use one as in the end the Ukadex worked). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 The pecking order sorting is brutal sometimes, one of mine hung off the feathers of the other two, it was horrible. Keep an eye on the situation it should resolve itself ok If you see significant blood try to isolate the hen to let it heal - hens can get really nasty at the sight of blood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
