hunkydoory Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 I have recently started again with 3 new chickens (2 Red Islands from the same clutch and a Pied Sulfolk of same age and from same place) after the sad loss of our first 2 girls. I went for 3 to avoid the whole what to do if one leaves this mortal coil issue. All was initially going well but after a rather nasty incident last week that involved one of the Rhode Islands picking on and plucking the Pied Sulfolk, she then skinned the back of her drumstick. I moved the injured chicken out to recover. Since then said naughty chicken has started to pull feathers out her sisters back. What to do? The two girls who have had feathers pulled get on together without incident but as soon as I introduce the 3rd she picks on the Pied Sulfolk. If I leave the two RI's together after a day or two she starts on her too. Without a large flock and 'personalities' to challenge her, I wonder if this chicken can live in a flock of 3? What next? Should I book a one way ticket to the vet or will time sort it out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 This is my opinion but I had trouble with 3 birds. I now always go in even numbers. I got rid of my plucker. Because once they get the bug they carry on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 You could try a bumper bit, this sits in the chickens beak and makes it harder to grab feathers You can also try removing the bully to isolation and reintroduce her - she will have slipped down the pecking order Anti peck sprays are worth a try It is a hard habit to break sadly but all of the above are worth a try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunkydoory Posted June 16, 2010 Author Share Posted June 16, 2010 Yes, tried anti pecking spray - limited, temporary effect. I have now withdrawn her she spends her day in isolation (in run) whilst watching the other 2 girls go about their ranging. As soon as she gets sight of the wounded chick she goes straight for the wound site I just wonder, now she has tasted blood is she beyond repair? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porkypie Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 My feather plucker now lives alone in an adjacent run. Unfortunately, I had no luck with the other options. She has her own little house and seems perfectly happy. They have been like this for a couple of months now and when I tired free-ranging them together they were fine for a minute or two and then she went for a feather. I couldn't face getting rid of her so this is the way they will stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunkydoory Posted June 17, 2010 Author Share Posted June 17, 2010 Short of buying a second eglu for her - and my OH wouldn't go for that one I really need them all to be in together. I'm managing by rotaing through the eglu/FR and a cardboard box in the garage at night time just now. The neighbours must think I'm mad as I post chickens into the egg hatch for their turn to lay - I know the signs now I can't leave any two of the 3 in together overnight yet one because one is the culprit and has already extensively damaged Totty and has started on Pecky, Totty because she still has a large scabbed over wound that I simply cannot take the chance of the Cookie chicken taking a fancy to when I'm not there to keep an eye on them. We have extended the eglu run to ensure they have plenty of space - so in an urban garden the space for a second run would be a problem. Who would have thought keeping chickens would be so stressful? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
