Mrs Webmuppet Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 Meribel has turned into a nasty bully, she has pecked poor Bromley and Bling so much that Bromley has no feathers on her back ( and Bromley now is plastered in purple spray and sporting a ex-batt jacket) and Creme has no fluffy knickers. What do I do? I don't have a spare house, apart from the pet carrier, otherwise I would banish Meribel to solitary confinement. I have tried the anti peck spray that doesn't appear to work, I have also fitted her with a anti peck bit which doesn't appear to work. I feel really upset and stressed, it's begining to put me off having chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 Sorry, this is a horrible experience, I agree. Which anti-peck spray have you tried? I've found Ukadex is effective, but it's pretty hideous. Once you can break the habit, they don't always return to it - I had a pecking problem last year but it ceased over winter when they moulted, and doesn't seem to have come back. Have you tried some distractions in their run, such as hanging feeders etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted March 6, 2011 Author Share Posted March 6, 2011 it's not Ukadex that I've been using it's another brand.....the big small holders store got burnt down a while ago so I have to make do with the pet stores. I may have to go to the pet shop and see if I can get a different brand. I have spotted an Eglu for sale on ebay located in Colchester but I see that as a last resort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 I agree the Eglu should be a last resort, and while some separation would solve the immediate problem and might bring Meribel down a peg or two, it won't solve it in the long term. You don't want to keep her in solitary for ever more. It is a difficult one - I think Ukadex is worth a try, you can order it online - it stinks and you won't be able to get the smell out of your nostrils for ages afterwards, but I've found it effective, mind you I also found an anti-peck bit effective, which you say you've tried. Can you separate them for a bit during the day, maybe by f/ranging the other two and keeping Meribel in the run - it will just give a bit of respite. Other things I've heard people suggest are squirting with a water-pistol if you see her pecking, or pushing your hand on her gently to dominate her and show that she's not the 'top' chicken ... not sure that is much help though, as in my experience you rarely see the feather-pecking taking place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted March 6, 2011 Author Share Posted March 6, 2011 I just been to the pet store, they didn't have any Ukadex but they did have some Johnsons anti peck so I picked that up. I will try and get some Ukadex online, any recommendations as to which supplier to get it from? LMW quite fancies the Eglu, she has Morehens disease and wants to fill one with Pekins! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 I tried Johnsosn's when I had a similar problem but it didn't work for me. In the end I became quite tolerant of the Ukadex pong. It was a long process (about a month I think) but I now have all hens with all their feathers. Separating the bully for at least part of the free ranging time might help. Is she doing it all the time or maybe just at night? I used to close the cube doors but think that made the situation worse so leave them open now. I used the Ukadex on everyone, not just the ones being feather pecked, I also sprayed the bully with it so they all smelled and tasted the same. Overkill maybe but it finally stopped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted March 6, 2011 Author Share Posted March 6, 2011 I will try and get some Ukadex tomorrow, anyone know where I can get it from? I've had a quick look online and most places are sold out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 here you go http://www.regencypoultry.com/heathcare/anti_peck/index.htm there's also wells poultry to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 I've had similar problems with ex batt Lola who is a real bully. As well as feather pecking I have seen her stamp on the other girls backs. She is in solitary at the moment, I have used Ukadex but when I couldn't get it I used Scarper which works as well but doesn't smell quite as bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 I'm afraid my Pom, the araucana is also a bit of a bully. She was always bottom of the pecking order but when we added the sablepoots to our little flock she was antagonistic from the start. She stalks them & doesn't give them a moments peace when they are in the vicinity. Thankfully they're quite fast but when she can she stamps on them and pecks them. Needless to say I try to keep them separate as much as I can. I keep Pom and the other non bantams in a fenced in area at the top of the garden and the bantams have the rest of the garden to play in. To be honest even this isn't ideal as I would like to keep the hens off the grass altogether so I can have a bit of lawn this summer. Hope you get your ladies sorted soon Alli xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted March 6, 2011 Author Share Posted March 6, 2011 I kept them out in the garden all day today and they all been sprayed with the Johnsons spray - I will give Barnard Bros ( my local chicken feed store) a call in the morning and see if they have any Ukadex if not them I will order some off the 'net. On a brighter note I have just got an Eglu Classic off eBay ( pick it up on Tuesday) so I can put the offender in the 'sin bin' before I go back to work on Thursday. Hopefully a few days in solitary might give the others a break from her evil ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 Just to give you an update................the Eglu has been installed and Meribel and Custard Creme promptly marched straight in while is was installing a shower curtain over the run ( without any prompting) and appear to be quite happy in there. The 3 smaller chooks looked a bit bemused when I gave them some sultanas in the Cube run and they didn't get subjected to being barged out of the way, Snowy was really eggcited. Hopefully splitting them up has solved the problems, fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanhen Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 I'm having the same problem at the moment. Only noticed yesterday while the girls were free ranging, it actually took me by surprise to see Gertie stick her feet into Jem and go onto peck her. She did this a few times so I went out and lifted her and put her into the run away from the other 2. When I told my husband, he felt bad for the 'bully' being separated and told me to let her back out...which I did to only find she started it again and this time removed a few feathers and if shes not pouncing on her, she's giving evil glances. Poor Jem just crouches down and looks nervous. She wasn't doing this to Penny but have noticed Penny and Jem were sticking together and Gertie was walking around on her own and every so often making for Jem. What happened overnight to cause this, because the day before yesterday they were a happy trio! So what to try first: Bumber bit (which to me looks cruel) or the Ukadex spray? Which is most effective and can the bumber bits be removed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
