gizmo_geezers Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 I am desperately after some advice. I have a Gingernut Ranger chicken and a couple of years ago we purchased some Bantam Orpington eggs and hatched 2 hens. We introduced them as per instructions, leaving them next to the pen for a while and then in with Molly (the gingernut ranger). This year one of the bantam's has moulted and although her feathers are growing back, Molly is hen pecking her, so much so that she is bleeding on her back. She just sits there and lets Molly peck her. What can I do to stop this? I have another cage that I can put inside the chicken pen for the bantam to rest in but am worried that as soon as I let her out she will be pecked again. I know that they need to get their pecking order sorted out but they have lived together for over 18 months and they have never been this bad as to draw blood. Any suggestion will be gratefully accepted.......... Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparklysocks Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 I had similar problems a couple of years ago where one of my hens continually pecked another causing her to bleed. It is very distressing to see. I would get your offending hen fitted with a bumpa bit ASAP - they are for sale through the omlet website. I was able to fit them without the accessory however it is a two person job - one to hold the hen, another to fit it. This stopped the hen-pecking immediately and it will not harm Molly at all. I did try anti-pecking sprays etc but found these pretty useless. I'd keep them separated until you get this solved. I understand hens can get a taste for blood so will keep pecking away until stopped... Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
