What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[Burtie14]

Hi there,

 

Our four girls came home with us today, and after a little bit of hesitation, have been exploring their run happily.

 

After a quiet start, our Maran has been pecking a bit at the other three, to the point where she's pulling their feathers out and eating them. Is this a normal part of establishing the pecking order, and is she likely to do herself a mischief by eating lots of feathers (instead of the lovely corn we're offering!)

 

Thanks

 

Burtie

[Egluntyne]

Might be worth spraying them with anti peck spray to stop her before it becomes a habit.

[Burtie14]

Thanks - Betty's still being a bit of a bully this morning, so we've left her shut in the Cube while the other three wander round the run. She's making some really sorrowful noises! It's such a shame because the other three are really great friends, but the moment Betty comes out she starts stalking them and giving them really nasty nips. Just waiting for the pet shop to open to get some spray...

[Pikey]

I think I read somewhere that eating feathers is something to do with lack of protein in their diet......might be worth giving some meal worm or perhaps the ex-batt food.

 

Lets hope it stops soon!!!

[Burtie14]

After a couple of hours in solitary and giving the others a bit of a spray, Betty seems much less inclined to actually pulling their feathers out. She's still exerting her authority but with much less distress to the other ladies.

 

The other girls did not enjoy being sprayed though - some very reproachful looks to daddy!