Jerrylikeseggs Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Hello! I'm sure this has been mentioned elsewhere but one of our hens has a baldy patch on her neck, I'm guessing from rubbing against the feeder .... I've tried the feeder at various heights, and have been making a big effort to keep it really well filled but it seems to make no difference ... and our other hens is absolutely fine! Any ideas what we can do - Ginger doesn't seem to be in any discomfort! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerrylikeseggs Posted April 15, 2011 Author Share Posted April 15, 2011 Anyone??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 I have heard it's a common explanation for missing neck feathers when chickens poke their heads though wire to get to grass, so it's perfectly possible they could be rubbing on the feeder. I use the old style peanuts for my bantams and the edges do seem a bit sharp. Maybe you need to switch to a different style of feeder like this? Or try something simpler like a dog bowl initially to see if that makes a difference before splashing out unnecessarily! HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Is it from rubbing on the feeder, or has she been pecked by her companion? I'd be inclined to suspect the latter. Try hanging up some distractions for them to peck at, or try spraying Ginger with some anti-peck spray, or both, and see if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerrylikeseggs Posted April 23, 2011 Author Share Posted April 23, 2011 Is it from rubbing on the feeder, or has she been pecked by her companion? I'd be inclined to suspect the latter. It seems a strange place for Mrs Pepperpot to be pecking - I must admit, my first thought was always towards rubbing on the feeder, but then I can't explain why Mrs P isn't showing the same signs. But these are my very first hens and so I do need to learn about them! Jx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerrylikeseggs Posted April 23, 2011 Author Share Posted April 23, 2011 Maybe you need to switch to a different style of feeder like this? Or try something simpler like a dog bowl initially to see if that makes a difference before splashing out unnecessarily! HTH Any thoughts about how long before I could be sure, if I tried a bowl? Jx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
