SueChick Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 (edited) Unfortunately I am still experiencing the annoying sight of a half bald chicken! It stemmed from our original chicken who we proudly had for 7 years! Unfortunately in that time she trained many an accomplice to her feather pulling deeds. She has passed away now but her last right hand man is still with us and is up to her old tricks! They only ever pull out the feathers of the lowest in command so it's obviously a dominance thing as well as a very annoying habit. I have tried anti peck sprays, purple spray and lots of boredom busting stuff but nothing seems to work. The only time the new feathers remain on her back and chest for more than 1/2 days is when I have just changed the puller's bumper bit. Obviously she can't grab the feathers whilst the bit is brand new and even after one week she has obviously worn the bit down thin enough to pull again. Any suggestions please! I'm meant to be getting two new ladies next and am dreading white hens with purple sprayed backs!! Never had white ones before so really excited by the way! How much greenery is it safe to put up by the way, can it stay up all day or must it be after lunch like other treats? Would welcome some help from anybody who has solved this horrible problem! Edited May 23, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 There may be a boredom aspect to it SueChick. We have no feather peckers now since we put a beak bit on the one that ate the cockerel's new, blood filled, tail feathers. She is a Wyandotte. No other breeds have ever been a problem with feathers but a few have got a taste for their cockerels comb and that only happened when they were confined to their runs. I know the runs are too small with only 1.5 square metres per bird, but they have a full length perch as well. When they go out into their enclosures they are too occupied and too far apart to cause trouble. The enclosures give them at least 15 square metres each. We have hung cabbages up until completely eaten, which can take several days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueChick Posted May 23, 2014 Author Share Posted May 23, 2014 Thank you for your reply - I do think that a certain part of this is boredom but the larger part I believe is a bad habit too. Boredom is a worry because they are in a large walk in run all day and don't ever free range (small garden). However they do have a large omlet WIR (9 foot x 6 foot WIR with 6 ft tunnel run attached) and only 2 ladies at mo - soon to be 4 The only problem I have with putting pekka blocks up is that the feather puller is permanently bumper bitted which stops her being able to peck it to relieve her boredom and stop her feather pulling! Vicious circle. She can manage greens etc but I tend to only put up leaves in a wire basket and these get eaten within seconds so that's not any good for long term amusement. Corn on the cob lasts longer and she can manage that so that's one solution. Do people find whole cabbages are ok to leave up for a few days then? Doesn't it stop them eating their pellets? Does this not need to be only given in the afternoon so that it won't spoil their appetites! Some guidance on boredom busting ideas is very much needed I think please. They have lots of perches, pekka blocks and a large sandbath already. Thank you from a very frustrated chook owner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
