Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Eggshell]

I think I'm going to have to try a bumpa bit on one of my chooks. She picked up the idea of feather-pulling when bottom chook was moulting and hasn't been deterred by anti-peck spray. I've read that the bumpa bit has to come off after a fortnight - but if she resumes pecking, how long would I have to wait before it was ok to put it back on? Or is the idea that if it hasn't worked in a fortnight, it never will? Thanks for any advice.

[gavclojak]

In sure you leave them on longer than that, they may fall off but I would put them back on and

leave them on longer than a few weeks. I would try separating them first if that's an option for you but if all else has failed then bumpa bits may be the solution but be prepared for a long slog, not just a few weeks.

[Beantree]

They advise only leaving them on for two weeks maximum because it will distort the nostrils permanently otherwise Eggshell. We have a feather eater as yours. We tried anti-peck spray, which worked initially, but then she started again. The beak bit has been in for over a week now and we wonder should we risk taking it out? Problem is her sister's bottom feathers are starting to grow back nicely and if they get pulled out again they may not grow at all.

 

We had a cream legbar wore beak bits constantly. As they wore out, which takes about three months, they were replaced. She refused to quit the feather eating habit.

[Eggshell]

Does that mean that your Cream Legbar had distorted nostrils but it didn't matter, Beantree? Going to try getting a bit onto her this morning. It looks very fiddly ...

[Beantree]

Have you got a pair of external circlip pliers Eggshell? Without those I wouldn't attempt to fit a Bumpa bit.

 

She did have distorted nostrils, but it doesn't affect them in any other way. We also had an Orpington who went through two bits, so 6 months, before the habit broke. She had distorted nostrils if you looked closely. Prior to discovering the Bumpa bits, offenders that wouldn't respond to isolation were culled. We lost 4 Wyandottes that had a taste for the cockerels comb to the extent that after being left with him for a few hours they had eaten half of it! This was immediately after 3 months of separation. Poor chap, they were his first hens as well.

[Eggshell]

Yes, I have the pliers - got the bit on this morning with help (thanks, Minnie and Moose!) and offending chook seems as perky as usual this afternoon. Bottom chook seems a good deal more perky than usual, having had a day of not being pecked. Now I have to work out how to serve up greens, treats, etc in a form that they can all eat. They got some mealworms on porridge this afternoon, and that seemed to go down ok.

[The Dogmother]

If you have tried all the first steps i.e. taking out the bully for a few days, giving them more space, enriching the run, then spraying with anti-peck spray. I would advise a bumpa bit as a last resort, some people baulk at the idea, thinking that they are cruel, but they are far less devastating than a hen who has died after having her insides pecked out - I have seen the results and it's not a pretty sight!

 

A correctly fitting bit doesn't harm or inconvenience the bird, they are annoyed for all of a couple of minutes, but when they see how they can still eat and drink, it is soon forgotten and they don't seem discomforted at all. Just remember to provide deeper feeders and drinkers to accommodate that extra quarter of an inch in front of their beak tip.

 

As others have said, they can be worn for the long term if necessary.

[Alis girls]

We have had to fit Maggie May with one again as after weeks of not egg eating she was doing it again. OH wants to dispatch - I told him he can do it as I cant - hes a gentle soul and wont be able to to. All bluster. Got 2 eggs intact today. Dunno what to do.

[The Dogmother]

Leave the bit on her Ali

[Alis girls]

Will it be ok to do that Clare? Shes got a slightly wonky beak apart from looking cross as shes been rumbled she manages to eat etc. I do feel cruel - but love my eggs as any chicken keeper will tell you. Fed up of shop brought ones.

[The Dogmother]

I haven't seen her wonky beak to make comment, but if she can keep a bit on it, then leave it on. Another option is to pop a 'pot egg' (china one) in the nest, having sprayed it with anti-peck spray, see if that deters her.

 

An outlet near me has a 'rogue' hen, which is really savage; she has a permanent bumpa bit on, and manages just fine.

[Alis girls]

I think I will - shes starting laying again - shes about 4 yrs old or there abouts - good hard shelled eggs. And they are now intact. Got 2 today and 2 the other day. Thanks for advice. xx

[Alis girls]

forgot to add have tried pot eggs and mustard flavoured ones to no avail