Chicken bald back

[jan246]

Hello Omleteers, Advice please......

Have had my girls since beginning Sept and all of a sudden Ophelia has started pecking at the others. I noticed one morning her having a little peck around Mercedes vent area whilst they were in the run. A lot of the time they free range in the garden but I put them in the run if I go out. Well, I went out for about 2 hours and when I came back Mercedes was almost oven-ready! (well, she had a bald patch around 2" square). Its only Ophelia doing the pecking, first to Mercedes and now Pandora a little too. Its only when they are shut in the run, not out free ranging. I have sprayed them with Anti pek and hung up more veg and a pecka block but still no change. I am worried to leave them in the run but the garden is like a quagmire at the minute. Pandora had a few dirty feathers around her vent but they havent been dustbathing coz of the mud. I have now sorted a plastic run cover and dustbath in the dry. Is it parasites or a big bully hen? I am sending off for a bumper bit tomorrow.

Jan (apologies for loooong post)

[quickcluck]

Oh jan, poor you!!!!

 

I am sure the bumper bits will do the trick. Some say that dominance is also helpful, so if you see pecking occuring, spray with with a hose (I use a water pistol) and press her to the floor to show you are in charge.....

 

Have the drawn blood at all????

 

Fingers crossed

[jan246]

Thanks Quickcluck,

No blood drawn yet and I have some gentian spray just in case. In a strange way I want it to be bullying coz if its lice I`ll feel I haven`t looked after them properly! Ophelia is definately the BOSSY BIRD! She is always the hardest to catch and the last to come forward. Looks like its water pistols at dawn until she realises that ITS ME who is the cockeral in this hareem!!!

Jan