Omlet cube and run

[mel]

I've just removed bumper bits from three of my hens who started to peck each other's feathers through boredom after the long winter snows. They had the bits on for a month and two stopped pecking after they were removed (success at last I thought) - unfortunately the third has started straight up again and now the other two are following suit.

 

I've previously tried vaseline, anti-peck spray of various types and stockholm tar. They have a balanced diet of layers pellets, wheat and grass, with permanent access to oyster and mixed grit. They live in a 7 metre by 3 metre run with two new additions and all are getting on well with each other. There's no free ranging at the moment until the two new hens are old enough to have their wings clipped.The two new girls aren't being pecked yet, but I suspect it's only a matter of time.

 

Are there any remedies for this which I haven't thought of? Any suggestions anyone?

[Christian]

Have you tried Ukadex? The most disgusting smelling stuff on the planet? Or a pecker block?

[mel]

No, I haven't - I've just ordered a pecker block and I'll look into Ukadex now. Thanks Christian.

[karena]

I've just changed mine onto mash instead of pellets due to a pecker, as it keeps them more occupied. Although mine is also complicated by potential pecking order stuff. Anyway, the difference was huge. They spent all day eating rather than following round bums to peck! Is only the first day, but I was impressed with the difference. Am using Stockholm tar too, but I think the mash is a winner!

[mel]

Thanks Karena, I'll try that too. It's soul destroying to see the feathers which have grown back over the past month ripped straight out again and hear the yelps of the poor hen when it happens. I'm sure you'll know exactly what I mean. I hope that the mash keeps doing the business for you.

[karena]

I know exactly what you mean and am glad I'm not the only one! It has caused me so much stress over the past couple of weeks. Just remembered the other thing I was going to try was a saddle, either buy one or make one. To cover up the vulnerable bits.

[karena]

A quick question Mel, why did you take the bumpers off? I was considering a bumper for my pecker if other things don't work, so would be useful to hear your experiences.

[mel]

I took the bumper bits off for two reasons really; I'd only used them as a last resort and didn't like the idea of them being on for any longer than absolutely necessary. After speaking to Wernlas and reading previous advice given on the forum I reckoned that four weeks should be long enough to cure the problem if the bits were going to work. The other reason was that unfortunately one of my hens caught a respiratory infection and so hers was taken out a week early. (The bit fits in the nostril and she was getting discharge from her nostrils).

 

I know that fitting bumper bits is a really hard decision to make, especially with the variety of experiences you will find people have reported on the forum. The vast majority of people who were kind enough to give me advice when I was trying to decide whether to give them a go had very positive results and I wouldn't be put off by my lack of success this time around. Everything was fine with all three hens for about a week and then only one caused the problem, so I was very close to solving it, which was probably what made it so depressing when the pecking started again.

 

The "how to fit" instructions and photos on the forum were invaluable and I found the job fairly easy, although I wouldn't attempt it without the help of another person to hold your hen and a pair of circlip pliers to spread the bit so that it fits easily into the nostrils. Don't worry if your hens take a few hours to get used to the bit, some of mine wouldn't eat for a while and wiped their beaks on the ground to try to shift them, but after half a day or so they didn't seem to notice them at all and were back to their normal behaviour. Once in place the bits are a secure fit and didn't move until it came time to remove them. The only thing I would say is check the birds regularly for lice as they can't clean as effectively with them in place.

 

I hope that the mash and stockholm tar works, but if not good luck with bits if you decide to try them. Here's hoping for a feather-pecking free flock for both of us soon and please let me know how you get on.

[karena]

Thanks Mel. Yes I hope we both get it sorted. Let me know how you get on too.

 

They have been a joy today, with no pecking! (Well except for little food squabble warnings but that's fine). They have spent pretty much all morning just eating, with a bit of drinking and mooching.

[mole]

i am reading your post with interest as my poor hens are being plucked by one feather pecker and its getting me down.

 

ive sprayed them with horrid stuff but not sure how effective it is. im thinking about removing the offender but not really sure what to do with her

 

i will definatly try the mash but my chickens are looking really sad apart from the one doing the plucking who is looking lovely

[Guest]

SCARPER SPRAY. I swear by it. All over my rescue hens and they haven't touched each other Had it on a pekin and even my large fowl didn't touch her It smells foul looks foul and you won't get the smell off you or out of your nose for a few days if you get it on you or don't wear a mask or cover your nose but it works wonders

[karena]

Mole I really feel for you. I was all sleepless nights and a bit teary for a while with the incessant pecking. It can really get you down, can't it

 

I have now had 2 days without the pecking and it makes such a difference. I really think it is the mash at the moment.

 

Other things are that I reorganised the run, so they now have a branch to sit on, and a big pot part way down, so that if they want to hide a little they can. I think that might have made a difference.

 

And I was told to try isolating the bully for the day, just put them in a box for the day and let the others get on with it. Then the peckees will form an allegiance and it will mess up the bully's plan. Not tried it (it's next step if needed). But strangely allegiances seemed to have changed themselves anyway and I think this is helping too.

 

Hope you find something that works, I really do!

[mel]

Really glad to hear that you've had two peck free days, Karena, here's hoping for three and more. Thanks for the tip about isolating the bully, worth keeping in mind. I've had one peck-free day as far as I can tell, after very liberal dosing of Stockholm tar last night and a mix of mash & dry pellets on offer today, so I'm keeping everything crossed at the moment

 

So sorry to hear that you are in the same boat Mole, you feel so powerless when things aren't going well for some of your chooks, don't you? I hope some of the suggestions everyone has been good enough to make here helps both of us kick this horrible habit into touch permanently.

 

Thanks for the tip about the Scarper spray ChickensGalore, I'll be adding this to my shopping list if I see any more pecking.

 

What would we do without this forum?

[karena]

Good to hear you've had one peck free day Mel. Keeping things crossed for you too!

[CallyChook]

my gold laced large fowl orpington has been a baldie for a good season now. At first, it was Sir Lancelot (RIP) who started it all off with his treading, it just ripped the feathers off the back and her wings on top too. Tried a saddle but it made her immensely stressed to the point where she would just sit down all day as wherever she went, it followed! Also it never stayed in place, as soon as SL hopped up for his fun, it'd ride up.

 

Anyways, he passed away about 1-2 months ago now, but she's even worse now! She's bottom of the new cockerel's pecking order, to the point where he wont tread her but chases her off from his little harem around the food dish - she's getting enough chance to eat while they're roaming, but it's sad to see her always on the periphery. I've not seen him tread her once, and when chasing he seems to go for her head not the featherless bits, yet she's balder than ever, now with balding bits either side of her vent/flank as well as on top.

 

I've not seen any of the others pluck her at all while they're free ranging so I can only assume that it's either only when they're in the coop at night, or she might be doing it o herself. I've in vested in the net - tex anti feather pecking spray (pine tar smells like burning bacon) and covered her in it for three days now, so far, obviously I cant see any improvement, and i dont know whether it'll work or not as i havent seen any pecking behaviour anyways. I'll just have to se if during the moult she improves to know whether it's working.

 

Poor chooks must be living in stinky hell at night with that pong in their coop.

[mole]

im definatley going to get the mash and put a flower pot in the run - great ideas! i might also box up the bully for a day too but it does seem extreme.

 

ive given them a CD to play with and i'll try and put a branch or two for them to sit on.

 

this does sound like a very common problem its just so upsetting

 

im very happy for all you who have had nice peck-free days!!

[karena]

Sorry to hear of your problems too

 

 

Poor chooks must be living in stinky hell at night with that pong in their coop.

 

The other night, when Em had stockholm tar all over her bum, the next day the beautifully white Ava must have been sitting next to her as she had brown bits all over her Only the bully is still pristine

[karena]

i might also box up the bully for a day too but it does seem extreme.

 

 

I thought that, but the person who told me about it was totally nonplussed and said they'd be fine. And its worth remembering how mean the bully can be if it makes you feel mean . (Not that I've actually done it of course )

[karena]

Day 3 and still no pecking

 

Millie (the bully) did decide that Em (the bare bum) was not allowed in 'her' dust bath, and pecked her wing to get her out, but I'll forgive her that as I can see the motive rather than just mean pecking for the sake of it.

 

How about everyone else??

[mel]

Another peck-free day as far as I can tell - I've been at work all day, but I can't see see any light patches in the tar and they haven't pecked each other this evening

 

Out of interest Karena, how often do you reapply the tar to your girls? Shame about your white hen; I'm waiting for the same thing to happen with my new light sussex. I've a lovely set of tar splats on the outside of the cube now after Betty flapped away following her tar application; goes a treat with the green.

 

I know what you mean about the pong in the house Callychook, I think I'll have to start supplying them with gas masks soon!

 

Good idea with the CDs mole, I'll string a couple up in the run and see if that keeps them busy, as I'm getting superstitious about this now and reckon that trying all possible distractions can only load the odds in my favour.

[karena]

Great news Mel

 

I've only applied it once so far. There are little patches of skin coming back through now, and I put it on on Saturday. But I am expecting some purple spray in the post soon, so am going to try with that if needs be and try and avoid the stockholm tar again. Millie doesn't seem to be looking and then not doing it because of the tar. It seems more complex than that. So hopefully have broken the habit. Shall wait and see...

[mole]

still going here but with a bit less vigour.

 

i did feel really sorry for my hens today tho...... Gerri (the plucker) was in the cube laying and all the other hens were perching and having a rest. as soon as Gerri came back out they all jumped up and high stress was restored

 

i think i might have to box her up for a day - what type of box should i use and also how wld she have food, water and lay??

[karena]

That's a shame Mole. I'm not really sure. If needed I was going to use a cat carrier, but people here often seem to talk about naughty cages/boxes so you might be able to find better info in a thread about that. The person who told me just said 'box'. I was told the idea is that the others will be able to forge other alliances, so when the bully comes back her status is less. I haven't used the technique, but my non-bully 2 do seem to have formed an allegiance anyway. The bully isn't top of the pecking order (I think) so the top chuck helps the bullied hen out with access to food and stuff. Its very funny to watch them - it's like chuck-food-chess. So if the box thing does do that, then I can see how it would work.