Chicken bald back

[Eggshell]

One of my three new chickens is getting quite pecked, so I've bought some Nettex spray to try. The difficulty is that she's the most nervous and flighty of the group; I don't think I can catch her yet without panicking her completely. I'm wondering whether I could take her out and spray her after they've settled to roost. Would this just wake her up and terrify her more? And, if it smells as bad as everyone says, would there be a problem with shutting her back up in the eglu with the others straightaway? Thanks for advice.

[Cat tails]

My chickens often retreat into the Go during the day. If I need to handle them for some reason, I just shut the Go and pull them out one by one.

Maybe that is an option?

[Mrs_B]

To be honest I have had to get a hen from the coop at night to spray her on several occasions - don't worry! Yes it does stink, but that won't hurt them as long as you've not gone crazy with the spray. I now have a tactic for catching my Columbine who's very flighty, but before that I'd wait for her to go to bed, pick her up, spray away and pop her back! Less stress for both parties involved

 

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[Eggshell]

Thanks; I'll try her at night, then. This one's a columbine too, Mrs B; I'd love to know what your method for catching yours is.

[Mrs_B]

Columbines are definitely flightly little things! I feel your pain trying to catch one. Biggest advise is get to help! Otherwise I basically get the meal worms/corn out, to entice her over (though she never goes next to me like the others) and I quickly try and grab her whilst she's distracted or (most of the time) I encourage her into the corner of our WIR and put my arms out so she's unsure which direction to sprint. I find it easier to catch her when she's jumping up against the side of the run, or pouncing to try and avoid me - I catch her very gently from under neigh her body and never ever grab, I think it takes practise. It isn't easy by any means, and it isn't amazing advise I have really - just the quickest way to catch my flighty bird! I hope it helps though

 

I find our Columbine is so calm when she's being handled though. However, she gets a bit hysterical in her clucking/chirping if I am close to her and the flock any other time!

 

If she's out of the WIR, I entice her to the back of it where there's just two exits - I definitely need one other person in that situation!

 

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