thenewchick Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 Hi I got two new POL white leghorns three weeks ago and they both had lost their tail feathers (farmer said they lost them when he was trying to catch them) Well, that was three weeks ago and there doesnt seem to be much improvement. I have been giving them cod liver oil in a mash, also mealworms and also Poultry Spice. I thought there were a few feathers starting to grow in but they just seem to peck them out again. There has been blood on their tails so I have bathed it and put anti pecking spray on but this still doeesn't seem to make much difference. Has anyone any idea on what I should do for the best so new feathers will start to grow (they seem happy enough eating, drinking and laying eggs!) Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sari Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 I had a cream legbar from a breeder , with no tail feathers due to bullying. I found the anti peck spray no use what so ever, but the good old purple spray ( gentian violet) worked wonders. The hens can't see the blood. I'm told it attracts them to peck as well as any pecking order issues. I bought mine from Ebay, very quick delivery!. This stopped the bullying..she did pluck a few of her own feathers, when the bigger ones were coming back in, I think it may have been uncomfortable for her...so sprayed more purple spray, an d made sure there were lots of distractions in the run..cabbages apples etc. Hope this helps. Don't like the sound of the Farmer's excuse though.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 If you catch a chicken by the tail then yes feathers will be pulled out - not a good or nice way of catching a chook but still.. Tail feathers can take an age to grow back especially on long tailed breeds such as the Leghorn and when the feathers start to show the shaft is filled with blood which encourages the pecking. As Sari says purple spray will help although it does stain the tail for some months and looks messy it will do the job well. I'd probably try the distraction technique first - cabbages etc.. as Sari suggests but get the purple spray just in case - its useful for wounds so is good to have anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenewchick Posted October 24, 2010 Author Share Posted October 24, 2010 Thanks for the replies, I will get some purple spray (when I bought the anti pecking spray I thought it was the purple stuff). My lovely pretty pure white Leghorns now have brown stained tail-ends! They have been out FR most of the day yesterday and will be again today and the pecking doesn't seem so bad, didn't have any blood shed yesterday so fingers crossed same for today!! Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sari Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 My cream legbar looks quite nice with the pupley tinted bottom......my friend ( a real townie) thought it was her natural colour....and keeps asking about the purple chiken! ...hope it settles down soon...it will...honest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenewchick Posted October 24, 2010 Author Share Posted October 24, 2010 My cream legbar looks quite nice with the pupley tinted bottom......my friend ( a real townie) thought it was her natural colour....and keeps asking about the purple chiken! ...hope it settles down soon...it will...honest! maybe we could start a new fashion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
