CAMPYLOBACTER: Anyone else had it?

[bluekarin]

I noticed Cocoa, our 3 year old hybrid, has been eating the tips of the feathers around her neckline. They used to have lovely rounded tips to them with a shiny edge, but now they are tatty We got some new girls about a month ago, and prior to that one of the original three died and then a few weeks ago we had to dispatch another one of her original flock, so Cocoa is the only one left. She is top hen of the new girls (never was before in the original flock), and pecking at the others, especially the smallest one (who is also our fave but don't tell them that ) so I didn't think she would be stressed, but now after seeing her feathers, I am worried that she may be.

 

Any suggestions on what to do?

 

Would spraying her with the violet gentian spray help?

 

I am thinking of putting her into what was the new girls temp housing and the new girls into her house, and separating her from them and then re-reintroducing, just so she's not so pecky. I was hoping by now they'd all be sleeping in the one house together, not sadly that's not the case.

[Plum]

I think if they are together in the day, I would pop her in with them at night after lights out. Does she hurt the others when she pecks them? Could be worth trying some antipeck spray on them and her front to reduce it.

 

I don't think gentian violet would stop her pecking her feathers though it would make them look more interesting again

[bluekarin]

I made the mistake last week of going to see if they were all tucked up together in the big house, but Bo was in a nest box and when Cocoa saw her, she chased her out. Bo went back in and then rapidly got chased right out of the house, closely followed by Cocoa. She is getting better though. I'm not sure if she hurts them now but she did at the start. No blood drawn though. I think I shall just bite the bullet and remove the temp house and then encourage them all to go in together.

I thought that the violet spray was for anti pecking. I shall see if I can get some when I am next in town. I take I spray the girls being pecked? I've also read that hens that pick at their feathers might have mite or lice problems so I will check that out thoroughly too.

[Plum]

Let us know how it goes. I think the purple spray disguises red so stops them pecking at blood and it's antiseptic. Why not taste it

[bluekarin]

I think the purple spray disguises red so stops them pecking at blood and it's antiseptic. Why not taste it

Nah, you're alright

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Try giving them some extra protein.......maybe she's lacking in something? Scrambled egg or rinsed tinned fish..mine go nuts for sardines

 

Good luck with cracking the sleeping arrangements.......I always let my rabble take the lead & wait for them to start "sleepovers" before I start removing extra housing from the equation.....

 

Sha x