Single hen

[nicnoc]

I have three chickens - received from omlet on 10th January. (2 pepperpots & 1 gingernut ranger). Just this weekend I noticed that two of them have bald bottoms. Then I noticed one of the Pepperpots actually pecking a feather out. Now it has gone on and pecked all the feathers of the others legs. Why is it doing this and what should I do to stop it? The hen are in an egu, with a larger area so have plenty of space.

 

I have had 3 chickens before (sadly the fox got them) - but we never had this problem with them.

[Groovychook]

If I was you, I'd put a bumpa bit on the naughty girl. I put one on my pecky girl back in October. It was an instant success and has only just worn off. I was worried that she'd go back to her old ways but she (touch wood!) has shown no signs of re offending!

[nicnoc]

Hi, thanks for your reply - sorry to be dim but what is a bumpa bit and where can i get one?

Thanks

Nicnoc

[Mrs Webmuppet]

Try the Domestic Fowl Trust, they have anti peck rings -8 for £1 including p&p.

[quickcluck]

Bumper bits are a great idea, and would be helpful to have 'just in case' if you send for them they come in the return post super quick

 

In the mean time get some anti peck spray theres one in pet shops, it's not great but it may well help in the short term...

 

If you actually see thembullying shoot her with a water pistol

[quickcluck]

Bumper bits come from the wernlas...

 

http://www.wernlas.com/

 

01584 856318

[Groovychook]

Hi, thanks for your reply - sorry to be dim but what is a bumpa bit and where can i get one?

Thanks

Nicnoc

They're a bit like an anti peck ring but they have an extra bit of plastic that sits beyond the tip of the beak, therefore stopping the hen from being able to grab hold of featers or draw blood. Hard to describe- sorry!

You can get then from the Wernlas Collection - http://www.wernlas.com. They cost about 10p each. You just need to give them a ring, they're very friendly & helpful and will explain how to fit them.

Hope that helps!

[nicnoc]

Thanks! I have ordered them (and a pecka block) - hopefully that will work.

[LJ's Chooks]

try hanging up veggies like a cabbage or brocoli... they are more weather resistant than the pekka blocks, and keep ours amused. We have ours hanging from a chain from the cube run and spear the cabbage with a wire coat hanger that we then bend into a cage for the cabbage so there are no sharp bits anywhere.... not a great description, but i hope you get what i mean

[nicnoc]

Thanks for all the tips - I have ordered the bits & pieces and hope they will arrive today - we have separated naughty Sheryl from the other two as she has now drawn blood on Victoria Peckham. I will also try out the cabbage on a coat hanger trick.

[Guest]

victoria peckham

[Electricbarbarella]

theya re really easy to fit, except it is definatley a 2 man job. soak in hot water to soften them up a bit.

[One_Box]

I tried the anti-pecking rings from the Domestic Wildfowl Trust and found the plastic too hard. Within a month the beaks of my birds had been worn in way of the rings allowing them to resume feather pecking again

 

Have found Ukadex effective along with most of the suggestions previously mentioned . I'm currently trying to give my birds a lot more time outside their run which seems to be paying dividends