Flossieflipflop Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 I've had my 4 chickens for 2 weeks. One of them, Dolly, is a right old bully , pulling at the other three's feathers all the time. I've sprayed them with anti-pek and have tried giving them some treats to keep them occupied but she's still doing it. The other three now have rather bare bums There's no blood or visible wounds. All four are laying so I don't think its unduly stressing any of them. It just looks really horrible. I thought that maybe I should separate her from the others for a while? I have a large dog cage that I could put in the enclosure to keep her away from them but should I keep her in there at night too? Would a cat carrier be ok for her to sleep in? Would she lay in there? How long should I do this for? Any advice gratefully received x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 Separating her will require that you keep her in sight of the others to avoid problems of re-introduction. She may need to be separated for many months though as the habit sounds well established. My choice in this case would be fitting a Bumpa beak bit. You need to address the reason for this behaviour Flossie. Is the run too small or rather boring for them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 I would also ask the breeder if this was something that she started doing there too. If so, it might not be the environment, but a very bad habit indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossieflipflop Posted March 8, 2015 Author Share Posted March 8, 2015 We have the large size walk in enclosure but, yes, I suppose it could be boredom. They have a woodpile to climb on and 2 dust baths. I use a treats ball, have hung CDs and have put in one of those corn pecking bars (virtually untouched). We're ordering electric fencing so that they'll have more space and more to do. Do you think she'll stop then? What on earth is a bumpa beak?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 A bumpa bit is a plastic thingamajig that you attach to the beak of your bully. It prevents the beak parts from coming to gether completely. Which makes it impossible to pick up small things (eg corn) or plucking feathers and pecking other chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossieflipflop Posted March 8, 2015 Author Share Posted March 8, 2015 Would she be able to eat and drink with one on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 Eating and drinking is fine as long as the feeder and drinker are deep enough. But she won't be able to peck for corn on the ground or eat all types of veggies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossieflipflop Posted March 8, 2015 Author Share Posted March 8, 2015 I've ordered one! Dolly is a lovely girl in so many ways but I hate seeing her do this to the others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
