Eggasperated Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Pippa has stripped Carols neck of feathers, and it looks like she has also started on Alice . This is despite a bumper bit and all the other goodies I have supplied them with . Previously all the feather plucking has been bottoms and backs so the bare neck was quite a shock. I have been using Nettex anti-peck spray, I understand Ukadex would be better, is it only sold online or do some animal shops stock it? Pippa is now completely separate, I have been keeping her apart as far as possible but when I am out I am not convinced the alternative run is as fox proof as the normal one. Should I consider getting rid of Pippa (although who would want her)? What else can I do? - Apart from eat a big bar of chocolate and I'm sure my dentist would love that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 It may not be pecking this time Hens in their first year dont moult fully but do have mini moults that are usually in the neck area, the loss of feathers can be sudden and startling - two of mine have bare necks I have never seen Ukadex in the shops so I think it may be a mail order job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted January 14, 2010 Author Share Posted January 14, 2010 Well I would certainly prefer it if it was a moult but unfortunately I actually saw Pippa stare at Carols neck and suddenly snatch at a feather and there are no feathers in the run so I think she must be eating them again. I was only out for just over an hour as well. Is it possible the bumper bit is the wrong size? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Thats a shame Bumper bits usually fit all hens What is your set up can you fit a big dog cage inside your run? I have separated a bully like that or even a dog cage in a garage, not a very exciting life but it need only be for a few days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 I have found that separating the bully does help, as they re-establish a pecking order in a very short time...making the bully at a disadvantage. Also chocolate is not that bad for your teeth, at least not as bad as sweets and lollies, where the sugar coats the enamel. So relax and de-stress yourself....I can understand how it feels to see a bully at work. My Speckled Sussex can be a madam too..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted January 14, 2010 Author Share Posted January 14, 2010 (edited) I have a fox proof house with a 2.3 metre fox proof run, two further runs each 1.5 x 2 metres and also an ark shaped run about 2.7 metre long. All the pieces apart from the ark can be linked together or closed off separately and everything is moveable. My worry is that the runs could be broken in to by a fox so I tend to put them together in their house run if I am going out, consequently I've almost given up going out apart from walking the dog (or taking a hen to the vets) but this mornings visit to the dentist was an emergency. Quite honestly I can't go on like this and at the moment I'm even having to throw the eggs away following a Xeno treatment . Perhaps I will have to trust that the ark run will be safe enough as this has fewer doors. Thank you Henhathnofury but........... actually Pippa even seems to like being by herself as there is no competition for anything so i think it will be a long process. Remeasured the runs - bigger than I thought. Edited January 14, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Have you tried a good, old fashioned water pistol? When I'm integrating new girls I find giving the bullies a good squirt in the face each time they peck is quite effective. It does mean being with them quite a bit in the beginning, but they soon get the message. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted January 14, 2010 Author Share Posted January 14, 2010 I did wonder about that but with temperatures around freezing I thought it might be a problem - mind you if it froze Pippas beak shut..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Try a new bumper bit, they do wear through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted January 14, 2010 Author Share Posted January 14, 2010 How quickly? - it was only fitted about 4 weeks ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Not that quickly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 I'd separate her.....for a couple of weeks at least. For 2 reasons. 1. Hopefully she will forget the habit. 2. She will return at the bottom of the pile so to speak and that ought to preoccupy her. It might be a good idea to give her some extra protein, too as feather eating is often thought to be caused by a shortage of protein in the diet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted January 14, 2010 Author Share Posted January 14, 2010 I am going to keep her apart during the day but I assume its ok to let them sleep together at night I have been giving them all additional protein for quite a while because of the lice problem Carol originally had (which started the whole feather plucking thing) and this doesn't really seem to have made any difference. I don't know whether to continue with the protein supplements or not as its leading to them expecting that and leaving their layers pellets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 I'm having the same problem as you. Lily is moulting and Lola had developed a taste for feathers so has been pulling Lily's out. Poor Lily is looking very sp"Ooops, word censored!". I've had Lola on her own during the day for the last two days and already Lily is starting to sprout loads of new feathers. I've ordered some Ukadex online, hopefully it will do the trick. As soon as I put Lola back with the others in thier house tonight she found a stray feather and ate it, little madam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted January 14, 2010 Author Share Posted January 14, 2010 It certainly seems I'm not alone in this; the first three months of chicken keeping were a pleasure but since then it seems to have turned into a nightmare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 I think our girls are suffering from cabin fever from being stuck in their runs all the time. hopefully the snow will clear soon and they can all get some Fr time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share Posted January 15, 2010 Yes, i agree with that. I've got Pippa separated but Alice is now taking advantage and keeps chasing Carol away from anything she has decided she wants - this seems very odd as originally Carol was top dog, although Pippa clearly always had 'Queen' aspirations, and Alice was a little meek thing. Talk about a change in pecking order . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Does anyone else's hens 'help' a moulting hen moult by removing loose feathers (and then eating them)? I've noticed mine doing that and wonder if that's how they develop some of their feather-plucking/eating tendencies... Saronne x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share Posted January 15, 2010 I have spoken to Sue at the Wernlas Collection this afternoon and she is sending a larger size bumper bit for Pippa as she should not be able to strip Carols feathers with her bumper bit fitted. Always knew Pippa was a big mouth . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
