hopingforchickens Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 I know this is a topic that comes up regularly but I really am at a loss. I am in my fourth year of chicken keeping and it has always been a problem at varying degrees of severity. It is now just one chicken who suffers - ironically not the bottom of the pecking order. One of the culprits has recently died, leaving her not so persistent colleague. Over the years I have tried bumpa bits, beak rings, purple spray, Stockholm tar and lots of distractions. Nothing seems to really break the habit. I'm currently trying purple spray every couple of days and there does seem to be some regrowth, but the spray seems very watery, I'd prefer it to 'stick' a bit more. Sorry for the long post but does anyone have any suggestions. I'm hoping to get more chickens later this year and want to try and sort this problem out once and for all before then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Sounds like separation might be needed. At least until the one who's being pecked has fully re grown her feathers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 If you have identified the single culprit Hopingforchickens, can you separate her until the habit has been broken? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 I had one hen who I could never break the pecking habit with - she ended up living mostly on her own in a house and run next to the other girls. Ironically she is now my only remaining girl and lives as happy as Larry in her eglu with a large electric run fenced area, she is also one of my first girls and is now 6 years old and still lays occasionally. Obviously all that feather protein did her some good . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopingforchickens Posted February 15, 2015 Author Share Posted February 15, 2015 I could create a run within the existing WIR which is what I do for introductions but would that create a reintegration problem? What are the best products to encourage regrowth in the mean time? ThAnks for the replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosecork Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 My chickens are currently having a bit of a pecking problem but I seem to have solved it by putting out grit. You may already do this but I never had before. They ignore the flint and pick out all the shell, shell runs out = start pecking again. Also have found that a few sprays of Net-Tex anti-peck stops them for a day or so, but it is really disgusting and smells horrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 It will be a bit of trial and error re integrating them. I think this is a good time of year for feather regrow th, but I think when I got my ex batts they recommended Apple cider vinegar. Bit of extra protein won't go amiss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 If you have tried bumpa bits and its continued then the only option is to remove the bully. This will do two things, it will give the picked on girl a chance to recover and gain some confidence and will knock the bully down a peg or two. I would maybe keep her separate and take the re introductions really slowly, ideally put the new girls with her for a while and then introduce her back with the new girls into your existing flock. You can up the protein a little if she is re growing feather, there are all sorts of supplements available but TBH I give mine some tuna in water a few times a week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopingforchickens Posted February 16, 2015 Author Share Posted February 16, 2015 Thanks everyone. I give them CAV and they have access to grit and oyster shell, as well as crushed egg shell. I will try and isolate the bully to see if that solves the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Do they have enough space? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopingforchickens Posted February 18, 2015 Author Share Posted February 18, 2015 They have a 12x8 run with 2 extra levels and perches plus they free range when I am at home, do you think that's enough? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
