Leicester_H Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Re-introduced Janie (the pecker) to the other 2 after 5 days separation hoping she'd forgotten. Within 20 mins had pecked Millie's leg producing blood - so separated again. (see thread below Strange leg 'wounds' - Please help !) Now have some Stockholm tar - its much runnier than I expected. Plan to grab one girlie, bring into utility room (more controlled environment), apply tar to legs (OH will be helping). Return to WIR and repeat with other girlie. Will wear old clothes, gloves. Will their legs become caked in Aubiose ? Does it matter ?? Any tips or suggestions ? TIA, H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 We apply it with a cotton bud Leicester. It can be too runny for comb wounds so we have a small jar with some in that has been allowed to evaporate a bit to thicken it up. Doubt their legs will get caked in Aubiose as the coating will be very thin and only applied to the injured area. Perhaps the pecker needs a beak bit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 Thanks - putting some in jar sounds like a good idea. Have used bumper bits before - seemed very traumatic for hens and us ! - so would be very last resort. Will Stockholm tar act as a deterrent of is it 'just' a aid to wound healing ? I do have some anti feather pecking stuff - but it didn't have much effect before (with different hens). These 3 have been together for nearly 3 years - so don't understand why its suddenly started ? H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Could be boredom is the trigger, but also they get a bit feisty as they come into Spring lay. The tar just tastes awful I think. I've seen hens that have had a beak in it struggling to clean it off. It also hides the wound, seals it and allows the scab to form underneath. We've used it a lot on cockerel combs because hens have a habit of pecking at the scabs and opening the wound again. For some reason cockerels allow the hens to 'preen' their combs and invariably they get damaged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 It acts as a deterrent because of its taste, and as an aid to healing. You can get it in a spray, or at least you could 5 years ago when I last bought some, which is easy to administer I think the cotton bud is a good idea, or put some latex gloves on, smear it where the bird needs it, then dispose of gloves, thus saving yourself becoming Mrs Stockholm Tar for the next week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 Yep, use gloves and apply it with either an old lolly stick or a child's toothbrush, depending on the area to be covered. Take care not to get it on yourself as it stinks, and I like the smell of it, but it's one of those smells that you just can't get rid of! As said before it really helps with deterring and helping it to heal. A dab of Vicks Vaporub usually puts them off pecking at that area. If they persist in pecking, then a bumper bit is the only recourse. If you're over this way, then I'd be happy to fit it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...