fantasticjudyann Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Does anyone know if a hen can peck another with a beak ring on? I have just had a badly pecked hen PTS. But I have got two left each with a beak ring on. The trouble is the Bluebelle has a very red bottom and I am wondering if the Speckledy is pecking her despite the ring........ Can anyone advise please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libby22 Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Hello Firstly, I am so sorry about your hen being PTS, it is always heartbreaking. I haven't used the beak rings myself however, I thought I would try to help as you don't have any replies yet. I have found the following on google and wonder if it makes any sense to you: At first, all was well and he was delighted with the re-growth of feathers on the attacked birds, but after eight days a canny chicken worked out how to get round it and reverted to her bad ways. "She discovered that a beak bit is no problem when presented with an eighth of an inch thick emerging feather shaft. I now realise that if a bird is unable to use the tip of its beak because it is fitted with a bit to prevent total closure, it simply uses a deeper bite and uses the ring itself as a substitute upper beak.” Not sure if anyone else with more experience may be able to help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 So sorry about your hen being PTS. I have not had experience of beak rings but my girls had no trouble learning how to peck and pull feathers when they had bumper bits, it seems if they are determined to do it they find a way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticjudyann Posted November 2, 2012 Author Share Posted November 2, 2012 Oh dear not so good then but thanks for the information. I am going to see if I can rig up some kind of boredom buster anyway so if there is pecking going on it may distract her. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 Give it a good spray with the blue stuff that hides exposed areas . I'd like to call it gentian violet but thats probably wrong. Be careful where and how you spray it though as everything else can end up blue and it's a "Ooops, word censored!" to get off. Speaks the voice of experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticjudyann Posted November 2, 2012 Author Share Posted November 2, 2012 Yes I've got some of that which I've used before on wounds. But if I use it on Bluebell and she is not being pecked then I won't be able to see if feathers are growing back if its only a moult . But thanks for that. I'll keep an eye out for further damage....all was well when I looked this evening so fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 You will be able to see the spikes as they come through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 I would use a bumper bit as opposed to a beak ring, and use some anti-peck spray too; just be careful to stick to the recommended dosage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
