Mrs

[cluckingmarvellous]

Hi all

 

I have a naughty hen who is pulling out and eating her mates' feathers - which they don't seem to mind but now they're getting little bald patches near their tails. I've tried everything I can think of - bumping up rations with extra protein, anti-peck spray etc. to no avail. So today I have separated the culprit (needless to say the poor girl is less than impressed!) and ordered some bumper bits which I hope will arrive tomorrow.

 

I hate the idea of them to be honest, and will feel really mean putting one on her, so my question is how long should she wear it for? Has anyone had any experience of using them before? I was hoping it wouldn't be a permanent measure, and may just break her habit...

 

Any help much appreciated!

 

Kim

[Patricia W]

Hve you tried Ukadex? That's the ULTIMATE anti-peck spray. No experience of bumpa bits I'm afraid.

 

Tricia

[The Dogmother]

It's important to tackle feather pulling early as it can lead to cannibalism if they nick the skin. I'd try Ukadex or any other ant-pecking spray at first before contemplating bumper bits. Bits really do work though and don't seem to bother the birds as much as you think it would.

[Laura & CTB]

I have used a bumper bit on one of my original girls, Prada, very successfully. I would consider Ukadex first as it's pretty powerful stuff!

 

If you fit the BB after they've gone to bed it's a lot less traumatic (for owner and chook) and I found that by morning Prada got used to it being there, allbeit there's usually a few beak wipes on the ground to see if it's going to come off.

 

Once on, it makes no difference to eating or drinking other than not being able to "bite" apples (!) and so I left Prada's on until it fell off after about 3 months. By that time she had forgotton about feather pulling.

 

Whatever you decide to do I hope it gets sorted.

[Egluntyne]

I have used bumperbits several times.

 

The hen will be most displeased at first but will soon get used to it.

 

It is much easier to apply with straight circlip pliers.

[cluckingmarvellous]

Thanks for all the advice - feeling much better about it now! I have ordered Ukadex (expensive stuff!!!!) and will definitely give that a try first, and I think the bumper bits will be my very last resort. I have also hung up a load more boredum busting things like cabbages, mirrors and peck-a-blocks, but she's still a little monster at the moment....

 

Thanks again guys, will keep you posted!

 

Kim

[The Dogmother]

You might need to take the bully out and isolate her for a while too.

 

Be careful when using Ukadex; it does spray everywhere, so you ned up coated with a fine spray of foul-smelling, brown stains!!