Gelbel Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 I've just hung some washing out and went to say, "Hello" to the girls - likk you do. I saw Grace, my top bird, giving Joy, the lowest in the order of three, a whacking great peck on the end of her back near her tail feathers. Then she spat out a couple of feathers. I know I need to nip this in the bud and she got a good spray from a water bottle I keep to hand. But, and it is a bit but - we are away from Saturday and need to knock this on the head PDQ to stop it from escalating. Anyone know of 'instant' fixes? I cannot see when I will have time to go and play hunt the anti peck spray suppliers around here. Any ideas gratefully received - thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Oh dear . You may find it was just a one off but if not, the things I've tried are a) separating the bully (depends on your setup if that's feasible ), squirting as you've tried (but that's no good if you're not there ) c) bumper bit (I've waiting to see if the solitary confinement works first). I feel for you - we're going away in a bit too and I'm worried in case I've not sorted it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelbel Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 Oh no - I am shaking - it's not a one off. Poor Joy now has a little bald patch. Gonna have to find a bumper bit supplier in Leeds today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelbel Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 I can't find any bumper bit suppliers locally. This seems to be a boredom thing - great as I am about to go away. I've come to work downstairs to free range them - good as gold. Grace and Joy are playing/eating/scratching happily together. Any anti boredom ideas please? I've tried CDs but they've been ignored. I am now concerned that 2 weeks in the run will have them climbing the walls (well wire). I am going to try a dustbath (but concious of giving them less space) - but any other ideas greatfully received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanTheDiver Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Hester was doing this to Lucy and some of the others earlier this week and someone suggested some anti-peck spray. I only used it one day and Hester stopped, but she then laid her first egg so it might have been frustration over doing this, I am not sure. It might be worth a try, I will keep it on hand always now though. 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 give them corn on the cob. Push a skewer through the middle then you can hang the hook onto the run. You could also try peck-a-blocks. Not cheap but keep them entertained for hours apparently. (I've bought my first one but am saving it for when we're away!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelbel Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 Thanks for the suggestions I am trying to find anti peck spray locally - can't order on line as it won't be here before we go away. The peck-a-block thing I brought went mouldy - they did not want to know. I know they love corn on the cob but they can strip it quicker than locusts on a field - so it's not going to provide hours of entertainment. Sorry sound a bit negative - it's just the timing is SO bad. Since my last post she had another go at poor Joy and pecked at Rita. She's had the contents of a watering can over her and is temporarily segregated - but that will only be 'til bed time (and she is annoyed at being apart from them). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clur Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Not sure what type of run you have but can you fit perches or something to create a little more interest? We're away soon and as we have new girls and sorting intros, we've put in a small tree branch, some wooden mushrooms (pinched from the garden but great perches), a dustbath and once I've cleaned the run out today, I'll be bunging the council recycling box back in on it's side for more shelter and another perch. You can also throw grain or meal-worms in and then cover with sawdust/auboise etc for when they are scratching around. Am also going to hang greens and sweetcorn in the run but at varying heights so they have to work to get them. This is for a long weekend, so I think it'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelbel Posted October 2, 2009 Author Share Posted October 2, 2009 I'll get my hen sitter to chuck a handful of corn in each day. When I give them a good old clean tomorrow I am going to mix corn in with the new run flooring covering and make it double thickness. It started again this morning but might have stopped as poor Joy's bald spot is no bigger. However I reckon Rita has laid her first egg - as I had a one today. Do you reckon Grace the bully could've picked up on this from some 'chickeny vibes' and did not like not the idea of no longer being the only layer so picked on the last in the pecking order? Incidently, Grace has not laid for 3 days - not like her and it's gone really nippy up here. I have had to order some bumper bits - just hope they are here tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelbel Posted October 3, 2009 Author Share Posted October 3, 2009 I have had to order some bumper bits - just hope they are here tomorrow. And they have. Gonna have some fun fitting one later but at least I do not need to worry when we are away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 I'll be watching with interest . I'm keeping the bumper bit up my sleeve for when we're away . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
