Flossie G Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 Hello All, We've had problems with feather pecking/eating for months. We've tried everything, and are resorting to bumper bits. We managed to get one on one of the girls, but it fell off within 24 hours. We got one on to the other bird, and that came off within 24 seconds. Repeatedly. There must be a knack to this. We got the open ends of the bit into the nostril. On our birds the nostril is formed like a slit and the bumper bit ends fitted into the end of the slit nearest the tip of the beak. Is this right? We've now got some circlip pliers, which we'll try, but any advice would be welcome. Thanks, FG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 It is much easier to use a pair of straight circlip pliers to fit the bits. I think you might not be pushing them firmly enough into the nostrils. Aim upwards as if to the back of the nose. Some advice **here** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 As Egluntyne has said, fit it towards the back of the nostrils as the front part has a fleshy ridge just inside the opening and it won't stay in if she decides to claw it off. Whereabouts are you? If you're near me, I'm happy to fit it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted July 5, 2010 Author Share Posted July 5, 2010 Thanks, both. Hopefully the pliers will help us get the bits further up and into the nostril. Claret, unfortunately, we live rather too far away in Aylesbury, but many thanks for the kind offer. Right. Here goes again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted July 5, 2010 Author Share Posted July 5, 2010 Some time later, and possibly we've done it but it was not pleasant. One girl went quite limp afterwards and we thought we'd killed her. They are both very quiet at the moment and we're feeling dreadful. The bit seems a little large for one of the girls who has a smallish beak - the "A" bar sits just outside of her mouth, even though we've got the bit further up her nostril. We're concerned that she might not be able to eat and drink properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 She will soon get used to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 See how she goes, she may be more suited to a beak ring than a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted July 7, 2010 Author Share Posted July 7, 2010 The bits are still on (at the moment) and I think the smaller-beaked bird is getting used to it. Will monitor. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 Hi Flossie How are you and the girls getting on with the bumper bits? I'm a bit concerned that one of your girls hasnt got the 'bit' in her mouth so to speak. It sounds like you will need a smaller size for her. We also had to put two bits on two of the most horrible chickens in the world. I realised that after 10 months of bullying and us trying EVERYTHING possible, we were getting no where, so bits it was. Both girls were fitted first thing in the morning (and yes circlips are a must) and after sulking for about an hour they both forgot all about them. However, we noticed that evening that one of the girls hadnt gotten the hang of eating. She was very hungry and frustrated and by bed time had resorted to going to bed with no food whatsoever. She wasnt looking anything like her spritely self so we decided then that the bit had to come off (all of a sudden I felt really sorry for her) and as soon as it did she ran to the feeder and ate and ate and ate... Our other hen was fine with a full crop. So many people have success with the bits - feather pulling, bullying, aggression can be a real problem, but it obviously wasnt the right thing for this particular hen and I'm glad we removed it. My advise is to regularly check they are eating and drinking enough and that they fit correctly. Hopefully your girls are behaving and you have peace amongst your flock! Funnily enough, this hen has been as good as gold since that day. Maybe she is a fast learner and one day was enough! Good luck troy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted July 8, 2010 Author Share Posted July 8, 2010 Hello Troy, Many thanks for your post. We share your concern. The bird with the smaller beak is managing to eat something, though she seems to have difficulty judging distances with the bit on. To be brutally frank, she is not the sharpest of intellects and is a slow learner, so maybe we just need to give her time to adapt. She is capable, funnily enough, of eating meal worms and grapes from the hand, but we are wondering how she's coping with layers pellets from the feeder. We thought about getting a smaller bit for her, but Wernlas don't do them. Do you know of anywhere else, just in case? FG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 You can get different sized bits from game specialist sites, but whether they would sell you just one is another matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 Wernlas is where I got mine from too. They used to have 3 different sizes if i'm not mistaken. Medium being suitable for Hybrids usually, but if you have ex-batts or a hen with a shorter beak it may not be suitable. What is your hen? When we realised our girl wasnt eating we gave her some corn and small peices of grapes and you're right that wasnt such a problem, although it took her 2 or 3 attempts. Food was the issue (we feed mash) it was proving just too difficult for her. You might be doing better with the pellets and it is something I would consider changing to if the problem re occurs, but keep checking that they are eating and eating enough. Ooh and just as importantly, check they are able to pick up grit too. Hope you dont think I'm lecturing, I'm just concerned for you 'cos I know how stressed we got when we saw that ours was unable to eat. Lots and lots of luck, with all my fingers and toes crossed for you! troy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted July 11, 2010 Author Share Posted July 11, 2010 We think that the troublesome girl with the abnormally small beak (a Black Star) is able to eat from the grub, and there's grit mixed in with the pellets in there. To be on the safe side, we've been making up a porridge of pellets and grit mixed up with watered down yoghurt (if we don't add the yoghurt, she treats the offering with disdain). Sue at Wernlas suggested that we trim the end off the bumper bit. We are still debating this. The chook looks lively, and is laying OK, so we'll continue to monitor her activity at the feeder. Though with her head shoved in the grub, it's difficult to see whether she's actually swallowing anything! I mentioned that she has difficulty picking up things from the ground - not so with a small feather she found, which went straight down the gullet. I don't mind ordering more than one smaller sized bumber bit, but I don't know where to order them from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 I'd leave well alone if she is managing. They soon get the hang of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 It sounds to me as if she's managing OK, just acting 'feeble' in the hope that you'll take it off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 Hang on in there Flossie Sounds like its working for you... In time you'll have no trouble and you will pat yourself on the back for perservering. troy ps; Mine are as good as gold! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted July 14, 2010 Author Share Posted July 14, 2010 Well, she seems to be hanging on in there. Will keep an eye on her. Thanks for your advice and support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
