Eggpodd Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 We have a pecking / bullying problem at the moment. Advice would be much appreciated! We have three hens, two have lost feathers on their lower backs and bums. The third hen has begun pecking severely, mostly on one of them, but to a lesser extent on the other. I have seperated the guilty hen, since after applying wound powder and anti-peck spray, she continued her assault on poor Dave. She seems to now have a pecking habit and has been seperated for several days, but we do not have the facilities to do this long term. Currently the living arrangements are not ideal, Dave and Bok are in the Eglu and run during the day whilst Tikka is out in the fenced off run with her own food and water and a cat carrier which has been pressed into service as a temporary nest. At night time we have put them all in together to roost as no pecking takes place over night. Ths morning, as I let them out of the Eglu and they went to feed, Tikka gave Dave a nasty peck on the back, drawing blood. I immediately seperated her. What should we do now? Is there any way to stop her behaviour since anti peck and seperation has not worked? We are thinking that we may have to let her go, but who would take a pecking hen? Any help would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunbird Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Beak bits will prevent the bully from being able to break or pull off feathers, & can eventually deter the bully from bothering to attack[when she realises no feather to eat?]. There are strong smelling sprays which can stop the attacker (though I worry that the already stressed, persecuted, defeathered bird might be being punished twice ?????) I put black antiseptic powder [from horse suppliers] on blood to hide it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poached Egg Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 (edited) I would certainly try a bumpa bit,easy to fit and effective(for us anyway).I think omlet sell them . Hope you find a solution! Edited December 10, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggpodd Posted December 10, 2011 Author Share Posted December 10, 2011 Thank you both, didn't know about these bumper bits, looks like a good solution. Certainly cheaper than the second Eglu we were considering! Will get one ordered and fitted and report back with progress! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poached Egg Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Eggpodd,can i suggest you get more than 1 bumpa bit-one of our chickens did manage to break one not long after we had fitted it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggpodd Posted December 14, 2011 Author Share Posted December 14, 2011 We decided that we didn't want to fit a bumper bit, so we went with a second Eglu and have put her in there. We then thought that it might be an idea to introduce a new hen to keep her company while the other two grow their feathers back. She started eating the new hen's feathers, so we now think it's a protein deficiency. What's the best additional feed to give her to help her sort this out (and for the other two to help grow new feathers) or are we barking up the wrong tree? Meanwhile, the new hen is in with the other two and they all seem fine together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Lifeguard has all the trace elements to build good feathers and address deficiency. I really feel for you, what a little madam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
