legend21 Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Hi All last night I just received my ex bats and at least one of them is pulling out her feathers, I have read about a bumper? to stop it dont know what it is can anyone help and can anyone tell me any home made remedies they look quite pathetic to start with and I dont know if it hurts them thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 You could try spraying them with some dilute tea tree oil as the taste is rather unpalatable and might just stop it. You could but come Anti Pek spray at the petshop. Article about Bumper/Bumpa bits**here** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legend21 Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Thanks Eglutine, will start with the anti peck spray and it looks easier than the bumpa bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaches Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Good luck with the spray. And keep us up to date on how things go with the ex-batts. I have all of one-month's experience of them, so feel quite the expert now Fiona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legend21 Posted May 23, 2009 Author Share Posted May 23, 2009 Hi All, I have let them free range as much as possible and they are loving it no more pulling feather out , however the one that was pulling feathers out the most has now taken to bullying the other girls, when they are in the run. I have just left them to it, myself and OH are in love with them it is ridiculous. They six girls have laid five eggs eachday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Don't worry, the bullying does settle down once they realise there's plenty of food and water for everyone, and the pecking order is established. Good to hear the feather-pulling has stopped - it may just have been a stress reaction to all the changes. There's something very special about ex-batts and they really do grab your heart very quickly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 One of my chooks is almost totally bald - very embarrassing - she seems happy enough but I have caught her eating her own feathers. We feed them layers + b.bran + garlic + chicken spice + grit, so at a loss of what they are missing diet-wise. Oh, they all have bumpa-bits but somehow still manage to pull feathers. Very distressing - though they seem to be happy ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legend21 Posted May 31, 2009 Author Share Posted May 31, 2009 Steve, It is almost a case of too scared to say anything incase I jinx it, but they seem to be settling down although they are establishing who will be head girl. I looked at the bumpa bits on line but they look too hard to put on. I know the pulling out and eating feathers can be addictive for them but I get upset just at the thought of them doing that to themselves. When they are fighting I tell myself it is better than were they were. regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 Steve, you could try putting a bit of bitter apple on the feathers of the one that's pulling them out (the stuff you put on children's nails to stop them biting them). I know hens have strange tastes, but I don't think she'd want to eat her feathers if they were coated in that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 I've tried everything Ukadex the purple spray and a antipeck spray Enid only has a few feathers left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Have you checked her over for lice and mites? I wonder if she has de-pluming mite.....this microscpic beastie irritates them so much that the pull their own feathers out. Try dunking her in a bath with a dog shampoo containing pyrethrum. *not licensed for use on poultry in UK. Strictly speaking you should withdraw her eggs for a couple of days. It might be worth upping her protein and calcium intake too, to help her re-feather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Have you checked her over for lice and mites? I wonder if she has de-pluming mite.....this microscpic beastie irritates them so much that the pull their own feathers out. Try dunking her in a bath with a dog shampoo containing pyrethrum. *not licensed for use on poultry in UK. Strictly speaking you should withdraw her eggs for a couple of days. It might be worth upping her protein and calcium intake too, to help her re-feather. Thank you Egluntine. Would it make sense to wash them all? Do I need to clean anything out in the cube/run? Would a non-chicken based cat food be okay for protein? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Would it make sense to wash them all? You may as well. I imagine if one has it ( and I'm only guessing) they all might. Give them a good saturating to make sure the skin is soaked. Perfect weather for doing the job as they will dry quickly. They will look miserable for a short while....and will smell heavenly afterwards. Do I need to clean anything out in the cube/run? I'd give it a good wash....with the shampoo whilst you are at it. Ant powder also contains pyrethrum *Not licensed for use on poultry in UK so you could dust the nooks and crannies with that. Would a non-chicken based cat food be okay for protein? Yes....but don't tell DEFRA. Chick crumbs would give them a protein boost too. I hope it does the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
