edharvey17 Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Hi, recently our 2 year old and 8 month old hens have gone from fluffy bottomed to bare bottomed - any ideas???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Are they all bare or is there perhaps one who's pecking at all the others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edharvey17 Posted June 24, 2009 Author Share Posted June 24, 2009 Ah, one is still fluffy but I've never seen her pecking as they all get along well. The bare bit looks the same on both, the same size and area.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edharvey17 Posted June 24, 2009 Author Share Posted June 24, 2009 I've also just noticed it's the feathers that were a bit pooey from when they sometimes poo in their nest box and sleep in it before I get a chance to clean it out - all seems a bit odd to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I would put money on it that the girl with her knickers is pecking the others! I had one like that, just caught her in the act one day, she munched on feathers absent mindedly, particularly when a hen was roosting with her bottom on view There was nothing aggressive about it with my girl, she wasnt even top of the pecking order - keep an eye out to see if you can see anything going on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edharvey17 Posted June 24, 2009 Author Share Posted June 24, 2009 ha ha I like the comment about the knickers! What if it is her? Just spray the others with purple spray and hope she gets bored? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I also have a knicker plucker (or two ) but I haven't a clue who is the culprit Purple spray will soothe sore skin, but won't deter a pecker. You need to try anti peck spray first, or ukadex. Be warned they smell absolutely foul, and they do need to be reapplied regularly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I resorted to bumperbits in the end as I couldn't fathom out who was causing the trouble, and Ukadex didn't seem to be working its usual magic. New feathers are growing now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 It's almost certainly pecking. They don't do it while you are watching, not because they are sly, but because they are only interested in you when you are paying attention to them. The bottom fluff looks so attractive -- the hen who does it won't stop now. And it can lead to a nastier sort of pecking, so keep an eye on the situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
