eggalp1 Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 I've had my new girls for just over three weeks now and unfortunately one is a feather pecking bully. I've been in this situation before and it went on for a few years, it was terrible and i don't want to be in this situation again. I have filled the run with treats and toys and have been spraying the other four girls but to no avail. I don't want to use bumper bits as i find it too distressing, so i have been thinking that i will return her to the breeder. Today i have let them free range on the lawn and she just follows the other newbies, plucking away at their feathers. I have two older birds who are now 4 who are currently in a separate run (a five metre eglu classic run) and i am so fed up with the 'pecker' that i have thrown her in with the two older birds. I will take her out at bedtime and return her to the run with the newbies. Both sets have free ranged together twice with a bit of squabbling but nothing too bad. I am out at work tomorrow, is it too risky for me to leave her in the run with my older girls for the day until i can let them out to free range at 5pm? There will be two oldies on one newbie - will the kill her?? She is a brahma so although only 20 weeks, is as big as the two older girls. At the moment she is obviously scared of them, and is hiding in the eglu. I wondered if this would be a way to teach her a lesson, as i'm sure the two older girls wont stand for any feather pecking. What are your thoughts eggsperts? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 I'd leave her with the older girls it should take a few days/weeks for her to find her feet in the new pecking order and a good thumbing from the older girls might just sort her out. you'll get some crying and screaming but as long as no blood is drawn then the intro is going sort OK. been as she's a brahma it might not be boardom that's that's causing the feather pecking it could be a slight lack of protein especially if you've got her on layers ration it could be that she still needs to be on growers the only experience of feather pecking I've had is a couple of my hens have a habit of pecking the lower neck feathers from the cockerels (naked neck crosses) but the boys a that thick they just sit or stand there a let them get on with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 I ditto what SJP suggests, either that or stick her in a broody cage for a couple or three days. Chickens have very simple neural pathways and 'thought patterns' so they learn habits quickly. Sadly, some are easier to break than others. She ought to benefit from the more experienced girls in an established flock, or even better, one with a cockerel, if you are able to re-home her. SJP - they are attracted by the redness of the naked bits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggalp1 Posted October 10, 2017 Author Share Posted October 10, 2017 Thanks so much for the advice, it really helps! I've been trying to tell myself that I'm worrying too much, honestly I'm worried sick about the whole situation. I think for the next few days I'll stick her on her own then on Saturday I'll put her with the older girls when I will be around to keep an eye on them. I really hope i can break her, she's just lovely and I'd hate to give her back, she seems very inquisitive and I think that's maybe half the problem. I've filled the run with things to keep them busy but it just doesnt seem enough. I'll give her some scrambled eggs for extra protein as suggested Fingers crossed my older girls can put her straight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 SJP - they are attracted by the redness of the naked bits! they don't do it to the girls through just the boys and mainly just to the rogue feathers. it just amuses me that the boys just let them get on with it mind they do know their place in life just slightly below me in the pecking order and that's only because I can take the pad lock off the feed store door Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
