Sooo much pooping

[mel]

Hi everyone

 

I've had my three hens for just over a year now. They seem very happy with life, however, they all started to feather peck each other where their backs meet their tails during all the snow we had earlier in the year. I've tried everything to stop this since then, anti-peck spray, stockholm tar, vaseline etc, without success. They don't do it in a vicious way and haven't seem bored since the snow went, so I think it has become a habit.

 

I finally fitted bumper bits yesterday evening; this went better than I expected, mainly because the "how to" guide and photos on this forum were really helpful. I still feel dreadful about doing it, especially as they seem to be having difficulty eating this morning. The bits are fitted securely and look to be in exactly the same position as the ones in the photos I have seen; the birds seemed happy earlier and were trying to eat the grass in their pen and the extra I had cut and left in a heap for them to make things easier, but didn't seem able to get a hold on anything. This was making them very frustrated and now they seem to have given up trying to scratch and eat for the moment.

 

Has anyone had any experience of this happening with their girls? Is it just a case of them taking a while to get used to the bits, or do I need to consider removing the them again? I have to admit to feeling very dejected about the whole thing at the moment and unsure what to do for the best.

 

Any advice would be really appreciated.

[Olly]

Stick with it, and they will settle down. I felt tremendously guilty when I fitted one on a previous hen, but she was fine after a day.

 

It is a last resort, but once you have done it the effects are quite dramatic. I'm having exactly the same problem - bald bits where the tail meets the back, and although they don't seem too bothered and free range happily together, it must be sore and I am worried that it will get worse. The hens will get used to the bumper bits and although it's harder for them to peck at some treats, they will adapt quite well.

[mel]

Thanks Olly, that's very reassuring, and good to know that it's not only me who's trying to deal with this problem at the moment!

 

I'm glad to say that I've had a bit of a breakthrough. After posting my query I thought I'd try them on diced cheese (their all-time favourite) mixed in with their layers pellets in an open bowl. This worked well - they were determined to get the treats and worked out how to pick them up around the bits. They now seem happy to tuck in to the pellets as well and a lot perkier altogether. They are still scratching at the bits with their feet, but they don't seem to be doing themselves any damage and as long as they can eat and drink it will be worth it if it solves the problem.

[Flossie G]

My girls started pulling their feathers out at around the same time, and like you, we tried everything. We finally fitted bumper bits about a week ago. One of our girls has a small beak and seemed to be having difficulty eating, so we made up a porridge by mixing layers pellets with water and a small amount of yoghurt and fed her that for a couple of days. She stuffed her face with this pretty readily, but we might not have needed to pamper her. The advice from the forum was to let her get on with it, which we have subsequently done. Fingers crossed, she seems to be coping OK.

 

Hope things work out for you.

[mel]

Thanks Flossie, things are looking good so far and I'm feeling a lot more hopeful after the help I've received here today. I hope everything goes well with your girls.