Leicester_H Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Hi On the Nettex web site (but not on the bottle as far as I can see ?) http://www.nettexpoultry.com/products/anti-pecking/anti-feather-pecking-spray it says - "How to use - Spray on to any affected areas including skin where feathers have been removed. Use on feathers should be avoided." How critical is it to avoid use on feathers ? I have only just read this and usually spray on and around any peck site(s) - I thought that it partly deterred further feather pecking as it tasted so bad on the actual feathers. H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 I'm just as confused as you Leicester_H? I thought that the horrible taste of the feathers was meant to deter pecking/ plucking. Of course the down side is it prevents the affected hen preening herself as well, so perhaps that's what they have in mind? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Does it actually work? I've pretty much given up on feather pecking because nothing seems to work, I would love to break the habit if I could. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 If the habit of feather pulling hasn't gone too far down the line, then this spray does work, but you have to follow the dosing amounts closely. I have sprayed it on feathers (another flock, not mine) before and there's been no problem, so not sure about that comment. It is far easier to spray it on an old paintbrush and then apply that way... just don't get any on yourself or breathe it in! I prefer to use bumpa bits if there's a pecking problem and have fitted countless of them to other folks' flocks over the years. Some people are a bit squeamish about them, but the bird honestly forgets about them after the first few minutes and a bird wearing a bumpa bit is far better than cannibalism, which is a real danger if you have a pecking bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Does it actually work? I've pretty much given up on feather pecking because nothing seems to work, I would love to break the habit if I could. I had a year of problems with feather pecking which drove me crazy and was really upsetting (think I posted about it a lot here!) In the end bumpa bits were what worked for me (and I tried 'everything') - though it wasn't an immediate affect - took a couple of weeks for the bully to stop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 That's roughly how long it takes for them to unlearn that habit, I would leave the bit on for longer though to reinforce the new behaviour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 I've tried bumper bits before and found it quite traumatic fitting them - doing it for six hens is more than I can face. I can do the spray (great tip about the paintbrush, btw!) after dark one at a time more easily, it's just that I've tried sprays in the past and not been impressed. I'm so fed up with it, but despite lots of free-ranging time, treats hanging up to peck at etc, nothing seems to stop them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Sorry to hear that Olly, wish I was nearer to help you. Fitting bits is really a 2 person job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Well it all began last year when they were confined during the avian flu restrictions. Once established, it's a really hard habit to break; two of them are (mostly) fully-feathered so I guess they are the main culprits, although they have a few patches. Two more are a bit patchy, and the other two are looking dreadful. They all seem to live happily together, are laying, seem healthy etc but I hate the look of it. I have got a friend who could help, although usually he helps with despatching! I think I will try repeated applications of the spray first and if that doesn't work I will try bits. Thanks for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 No worries, hope that you get it sorted Olly. Do you have any bits, or would you like me to send you some? Don't forget that you need circlip pliers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 And soak them in boiling water to make them easier to fit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 And soak them in boiling water to make them easier to fit You can do, but TBH, with a set of circlip pliers, it's the work of moments. There are a few good videos on youtube if you search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Even with the pliers I soaked them. I’m sure with experience it gets easier but for the first time I was grateful for every trick in the book Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
