AJuff Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 I was shocked to watch two of our gentle hens merrily plucking feathers out of some of the others and not one of them protested. No wonder Hermione's feathers haven't grown back after her moult, Daisy 2 still has a bare bottom and Flora has a bare neck. The minute feathers reappear they are plucked out. I said to OH that I would bumper bit any chook who I saw feather plucking and eating. So far six have bumper bits on!!! After watching this new spectacle this week I am putting bumper bits on the lot of them. I have never known such an unruly bunch!!! Is it just my chooks? They have a large walk in run and free range every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevtheplumber Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 ive got to bumper bit 2 of mine, there is blood being drawn now, its getting worse every day, just trying to get hold of them is bad enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 I bumper bitted all of mine at one time as I was sure I had a knicker plucker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 Sadly this is how it all began when I had Bobbie and Ria. They would pull Roses feathers when she was in the dustbath and Rose didn't seem to mind. As time went on they got worse and worse until in the end (even with bumper bits or peck rings) they almost killed poor Rose. It really was awful and as a result Bobbie and Ria had to go I still feel sad to this day but they were trying to peck through the base of her spine as well as her vent area and I was told that some chickens have canabalistic tendancies and not much can stop them Obviously not all cases turn out this way and I was just unlucky so I'll keep my fingers crossed for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevtheplumber Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 That sounds exactly like what one of mine is doing, the other only gets involved occasionally but one is at it all day long, she has ripped the back off the poor girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 Yep-it's shocking how nasty and evil they can be Bobbie and Ria ended up going back to Omlet as it all happened around the time that my Dad died suddenly and it was a lot to be coping with The replacements, Brandee and Jasmine are much better behaved although Jasmine is a bully and they both have bumper bits but they are not as vicious as the other two were. I love my hens sooooo much but it's been a bit of a journey at times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 I wonder if it's the time of year My Dorking Cross has decided to do this in the last couple of days. She either sneaks up on them like a pick pocket or just launches herself at them. She's attacking everyone and Mo has already got a fair bit of bald bottom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 Interesting about it being the time of year - it's coming up to moulting time isn't it (one of mine is in full moult mode) and they need extra protein for feather regrowth. I might try some supplementary feeding myself as a few of mine are knickerless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 I'm currently worming mine so wasn't sure about giving any extras. May have to late afternoon though as it's ridiculous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troyca Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 Excuse my ignorance, but what is bumper bits- sounds vicious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 A necessary evil, I'm afraid . I'll be attempting to fit one in the next day or so . "Click* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevtheplumber Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Took the bully out today and put her in the eglu run, she can hear the other 2 in the wir and is not happy, giblet the bullied hen is already enjoying herself, hope she can grow her feathers back, going to leave it a week and then put the bully back in, they can't see each other but can hear each other Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted September 29, 2009 Author Share Posted September 29, 2009 Well I've bumper bitted the lot apart from Darcy Vader (black rock) and Rosie as the bumper bits didn't fit their wide beaks. Do they come in different sizes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 I believe they do, yes . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad.hen1 Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Two of mine pecked the thrid so badly that she prolapsed and had to be destroyed at the vet - she was running with blood and totally unprotesting as they ate her, it was vile. The bulk of the pecking happened overnight and before I let them out in the morning so there was absolutely nothing I could have done to prevent it. Much as i love my hens i felt sick for a few days afterwards, really was an introduction to the dark side of poultry keeping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troyca Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 I have to share with you, this is really putting me off. How common is this problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad.hen1 Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 i think the main issue is that when hens see blood on others, they really go for it, so it is definitely something to be aware of. I know what you mean - it is a very disturbing aspect of hen keeping and quite at odds with their fluffy cuteness. Everyone I know who has hens has both the pecking story to tell and the fox attack one, so I suspect it is just something that you will inevitably encounter at some point if you keep hens over a period of time. To put that in context I have kept five hens over 2 years and in that time have lost 1 to a fox and 1 because of cannibalism. For me it is worth it on both counts tho it is no less upsetting for that. I have just decided to accept the risks and potential unpleasantness. I do think that, while we tend to view our hens as pets (and indeed, in many respects they are) it is important to keep sight of the fact that they do have a darker and less pleasant aspect, which is an integral part of their psychological make up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 A necessary evil, I'm afraid . I'll be attempting to fit one in the next day or so .[/url] Well, in my opinion, bumper bits are definitely evil but not at all necessary. In 5 years of keeping hens I've never ever resorted to bumper bits and never will. Yes hens can be vicious little so and sos to each other and we've had our fair share of bullying, feather plucking and the like but there are other, kinder ways of managing it. We've have always had a very happy, integrated bunch of hens (currently 9 in residence) and not a bumper bit in sight! I realise I'm in the minority and not a member of the Bumper Bit Appreciation Society and this is just my opinion, but I feel it's important to state that there are other ways of managing bullying and I am so concerned that, on this forum, discussion about bumper bits is presented as fact rather than opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troyca Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 I would be interested in learning what methods you favour. If I come across this I would like to have some options to try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Lydia, I've never had to fit a bit on any of my hens either - they are just laid back and don't really squabble. However, over the years, I have fitted them to numerous hens for friends who have asked for help after feather pulling has turned to cannibalism. I'm no fan of them, and would only use them if all other remedies have failed, but they really do work better than anything else. Anti-peck sprays included. An example of this is a friend who recently bought a flock of black rocks, they are an experienced hen keeper, but the evil little madams were all turning on each other and blood was drawn. He tried everything else, including splitting the flock into smaller units, but ended up investing in some bits for the first time, fitted them and harmony now reigns..... and his nerves are healing! I know it's down to personal opinion, and we all have our favourite ideas and remedies; we just use what works for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 I don't have personal experience of using bumper bits yet but have one to use as a last resort, as Claret says. I have a hen taking lumps out of a new girl but am trying separating the bully first to see if that works. I'm going away shortly and am concerned about what might happen then so the bumper bit may just be used for that short period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troyca Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 If you end up having to use these things, is it perminent or can they be removed at some point? Does it change the behaviour or only render it less harmful? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 I have just read all your posts on feather pecking and I could cry for you all. My top hen sometimes pecks feathers from my cockerels neck and he stands there and lets her do it, he even turns round for her to peck the other side. She eats the feathers so I think it's protien she needs, but he is never harmed by it in fact he likes it, and there are not feathers missing from his neck. Maybe over here in Tenerife he gets a bit hot and she is just thinning them out. (Just a thought) Strange little critters aren't they. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 No, they're not permanent (and some hens manage to get them off themselves ). As I understand it, as it protrudes beyond the beak tip it prevents them nipping with the beak at feathers or skin. They can eat though as the bumper bit is just pushed into the pellets, allowing the beak to pick up food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 I have just read all your posts on feather pecking and I could cry for you all. My top hen sometimes pecks feathers from my cockerels neck and he stands there and lets her do it, he even turns round for her to peck the other side. She eats the feathers so I think it's protien she needs, but he is never harmed by it in fact he likes it, and there are not feathers missing from his neck. Maybe over here in Tenerife he gets a bit hot and she is just thinning them out. (Just a thought) Strange little critters aren't they. Are you sure she's not picking lice off him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
