Sandychick Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 I have just had to put bumpa bits on 2 of my hens - Matilda has been eating her own feathers at an alarming rate, and then started to have a peck at the others. Molly is starting to copy this so she has also had a bumpa bit fitted too. I'm hoping that someone who has used bumpa bits can help with this. The omlet shop info says that they can eat and drink normally with these, but that doesn't seem to be the reality? Apparently, they can't eat from the plastic hanging feeders / drinkers? They have a grub and glug, so that should be ok for them, but are they able to eat food from the ground with bumpa bits? Mine don't seem able to pick up a mealworm Will they figure out how to do it, or is it not possible?? It also says that bumpa bits shouldn't be left in for more that 2 weeks, but I've been given conflicting advice to say that they can be left for as long as needed?? Bit confused...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 Hi Sandychick. Bumpa bits will have little effect on the habit in just two weeks, so what is said is of little practical value. We had one that wore a bit out in 3 months and still had the habit, so she had another fitted and wore that one out too, at which time she was OK. They can pick stuff up using their tongue, but they can't peck hard enough to do damage. I'm surprised they can't pick up a mealworm. Are you sure they are fitted properly? Ours range around digging up stuff without any problem at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 Thanks Beantree. Yes, definitely fitted properly. They were done by Cotswold Chickens yesterday. As the bumpa bit is longer than their beak, I'm not sure how they can get their beak to the ground to pick anything up?? I'm planning to downgrade to a beak bit in a few weeks, but just want to make sure they are having an ok time with these before that happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 They use the bumpa piece at the front to dig and then scoop it up as required Sandychick. The whole reason for the bumpa section is to stop pecking as well as pulling. You will find regular beak bits quite barbaric in comparison. They are just clamped around the top section of the beak and hold the beak open a way and strain the nasal holes a lot more. Normal actions may be quite uncomfortable. I wouldn't fit one of them to any of our chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 Yes, I understand how the bumpa bit works to stop pecking - just the eating I'm concerned about. Guess my hens are just a bit dim then if others don't find any difficulty with them. Have to hope they will figure it out in the next few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasperaliceuk Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 Mine had bumpa bits for months - have only just got them out of them but am on high alert in case it starts up in all seriousness again!. Eating and drinking no problem - pellets not mash. Only think I feel a bit mean about was that they couldn't peck anything hard like a pecking block, apples etc. They didn't seem to have a problem with hanging greens - just tore bits out or ate the bits dropped by the bumpabit-less chickens. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 Eating and drinking no problem - pellets not mash Hmmmm, that's a good point - they have been on mash recently to keep their beaks busy! Think I will switch back to pellets tomorrow, might be easier for them Good luck with your hens, fingers crossed for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted March 26, 2014 Author Share Posted March 26, 2014 Is it really only my hens that struggle with bumpa bits???? They have had nearly a week to get used to them and they absolutely definitely can't eat stuff off the ground. Can't understand why if other hens don't find it a problem. Feel really mean On a positive note, no more feathers have gone missing in the last week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 I'm baffled as well Sandychick. But if they are eating pellets from the feeder and not feather pecking you are definitely going in the right direction. Perhaps the bits are too big, although we have fitted them to large Wyandottes, Orpingtons and also a little Cream Legbar without any noticeable difficulty in eating off the floor. They get small scattered grain treats every day and have had no problems picking bits up (done to train them to come to the rattle of the scoop). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
