Simondegaris Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Hello folks, Just a quick question to see if any of you have experienced the same as me! I have been collecting my eggs daily of course but in the last couple of weeks the chickens have been burying them in the straw in the nesting box! The seem to be really pulling the straw up over them as some of the eggs have been right at the very bottom! There has been no change to diet or surrounding etc! Any ideas? Also our girls are feather peckers and there isn't just a single one that does it. I have tried the purple spray to no avail, and even bumper bits have failed! Does anyone have any further ideas? Many thanks for your help guys really appreciated! Simon and Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 I'd stop using straw as it harbours mites and spores. This may be irritating the hens and causing them to try to scratch their itches. Try something like Aubiose instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 feather pecking could be down to boredom or low protein in their diet check the use by date on the feed I've had problems in the past with feed that was barely out of date some cheaper feeds go stale quite quick as they near the use by date Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simondegaris Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 Hello! I will certainly try a chance of bedding...great idea! The feed is all in date and have always been careful to buy well dated food, and ensure it is well stored. With regards to boredom they have two dust baths, cds hung up, a metal caged ball on a chain hung up with veg in each day, a small round ball with holes in that they role around and seed drops out for them, along with meal worms and seed for scratching and a nice wooded area with cunks of wood to scavage through etc. Is there anything else you could suggest? Or anything 'viatminy' that would help with any deficencies? Thaks for your advice guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adams Egg Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Feather pecking can be a symptom of red mite, especially if you have straw, that would be a good place to start, plenty of red mite powder and DE and disinfecting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
