rachel19 Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Hi, I have 5 hens and in the last couple of months they have starter feather plucking. I have had this before and stopped it before with the anti-pecking spray (the horrid smelling one). This time it has not worked and the lowest one of the pecking order is mostly bald apart from her wings and head and neck A couple of the others have smaller areas of feather loss but not as bad. They have a very large run, I treat the house for mites and they have several things hanging up to peck at and keep them entertained. I bought bumper bits from Omlet but they break so easily - the bit that sits in their mouth splits as soon as you try and spread the prongs that go in their nose a little and they can then easily remove them so I don't see how these work? At the weekend I bought a cockerel as I had been thinking of getting one for a while and thought he might help keep them under control but I think he's too nice for his own good I'm now at a loss as to where to go from here. I'm not sure who the culprit is and think they might be all having a go - whenever I'm there with them they don't do it. Any suggestions? I feel like I've tried everything Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 (edited) There’s a video somewhere on here how to fit bumpa bits properly. One of the mods might be able to find it forvyou. I found these worked whereas all the anti peck sprays didn’t. You say they have plenty of room. But do they also have perches and toys in the run? If you’re doing all these things, can you identify the main culprit and separate her? She will go down in the pecking order which may help. My cockerel likes a quiet life too and leaves the girls to their squabbles! Edited May 30, 2018 by Patricia W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel19 Posted May 30, 2018 Author Share Posted May 30, 2018 Hi Patricia, Thanks for the reply. Yes I watched youtube videos but they just snap as soon as any pressure is applied and the prongs do need to be pulled apart slightly to get them on. Is it one size fits all? There is only one size listed in Omlet's shop. Their run is about 15m squared which should be plenty of room for 6 chooks? There is a large perch, bench and several hanging treat dispensers which I refill every day. I will get some more and we're going to build them a proper dust bath area as it has been getting a bit muddy. I'm getting some of the purple spray as well to cover her bald bits in conjunction with the smelly spray to see if this detracts them further. It is weird we can't get the bumper bits to work though Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Might try and soak the bumpa bits in hot water? Haven’t used them ever, but if ever I have a plastic thingy that tends to break or tear I soak it in hot water to give it a bit more flexibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 3, 2018 Share Posted June 3, 2018 Rachel, roughly where do you live? If you are near me, then I am happy to fit them for you. I don't know if the Omlet ones are weaker plastic, but I have never had one split in the area that you mention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarkymite Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 Sorry to hijack this thread, but Dogmother, I'm having the same problem with the Omlet bumpa bits, even after soaking them in hot water. I need to fit one on Wilma as she's developed a taste for feather eating. I bought ten bumpas and have broken 6 of them trying to fit them, with OH holding her very still and me applying the bit. They don't seem wide enough to get the ends into her nostrils, and when I try to hold them open a little further using the pliers, the middle bit (the actual bit, bit, that goes across the middle inside the beak) just snaps. I don't know if she's just got a really wide face...! I got one on once by accident (she flinched and it snapped into place) but she had it off within 5 mins and when I picked it up, again, middle bit was snapped. I think I do live fairly near to you and I would be hugely grateful to take up any help you can offer in getting a bit fitted (and maybe show me where I'm going wrong?!) The bits are a last resort having tried everything. Anti-peck spray doesn't deter her at all, it just pees off the other chickens as they can't preen without it tasting bad. They have loads of run space (currently these 4 birds are in 9 square metres of run, Eglu cube Mk1, plus an upper level in the run which is another 2 square metres, plus enrichment and several perches, plus free ranging over an area in excess of 60m2 for at least 3 hours a day, and all day at weekends) and I've tried increasing protein(mealworms)/varying the diet with greens etc. She just thinks feathers are the tastiest thing ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 I think once it's an established habit, it is very hard to break. I used the anti-peck spray for six weeks earlier this year, and apart from making me very grumpy, it made no bloomin' difference as far as I could see! Like yours, mine have a large run, treats hung up to jump for, a dust bath and regular free-ranging. The hens seem healthy and happy - although it can't be very nice having your feathers pulled out, there is no actual bleeding or damage to their skin, and I'm afraid I have just given up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarkymite Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 I agree with you - my other birds seem perfectly happy despite one of them being significantly plucked and the other two having small bald patches in certain areas. But, I worry that it will only be a matter of time before she accidentally draws blood and that once that happens, we're in real trouble. As well as her love of feathers she is also top hen and can be quite a bully. I would like to be able to integrate my newer pullets into the flock fully at some point. She's stopping me as I can't bear the thought of my lovely araucanas going bald! She even managed to get a beakful of head feathers from one of the new girls through a wire fence, and gobbled up every single feather. Yuck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueChick Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 Hi - I had a bad bout of this a few years ago and it didn’t matter how many toys they had or space or anti peck sprays, once they learn feathers are nice it’s a hard habit to break! I used bumper bits but it didn’t stop it because they could still pull out feathers with them on! Amazing really. The only way I permanently broke them was the hens glasses (not the horrible ones that pierce the nose of course just the ones that attach in the same way as the bumper bits). They act as the opposite sight restriction to horses blinkers, ie, they can’t see directly in front of them and although that sounds really barbaric and harsh it really wasn’t. In fact, it was no worse than how they act with a bit on really, couple of days and they were unaware they were on them. I left them on for 6 weeks then removed the least likely to be the main offender’s glasses first and watched to see if the baldness reappeared, it didn’t so that hen didn’t need them again. I continued like that until I found a hen who whenever I took the glasses off would start it all again so she then wore hers for the rest of her life (long and happy life she lived with her shades on!). I know this may be controversial as some people don’t like the idea of them but it was much less distressing than watching a poor hen stripped to bald continuously. It also stopped the subsequent hens learning it from the older ones which had happened in the past. I hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 Hello sarkymite it sounds as if there's something wrong with the bumps bits that you have. I would be happy to fit it for you, but am not local just now. If you pop in to see Anthony at Cotswold Chicjens, then he can also do it for you, but it is best to phone first to check that he will be there when you go, as he is the only other person able to fit them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarkymite Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 Hi Dogmother Thanks for your reply. I may call them and see if he's around this weekend then- though may depend on the weather as it's a 40 minute drive each way in good traffic and I worry that it may be a bit hot and stressful for the birds in the car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel19 Posted June 28, 2018 Author Share Posted June 28, 2018 We're right down in East Sussex so a long way away. We tried putting in hot water an this really helped, it didn't break and we fitted it ok. We did it in the evening just after she had gone to bed so she was dopey but when I let them out in the morning it was gone. I checked it and it was fitted well but she still got rid of it. I've given up and don't think there is anything else I can do really I might try again and see if the next one stays on - I think there is one main culprit as she has all of her feathers still. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 OK, so it sounds as if the Omlet bumpa bits might be either the wrong size for hybrids or made of some duff plastic; may I suggest that you all ring or email them to let them know. I fit the bumpa bits from Cotswold Chickens on a regular basis and know that they are OK, so perhaps ring up and order form them. they also sell the circlip pliers. If you are in the north Oxfordshire area/borders with Warks and Northants, then I'll happily fit one for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel84 Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 A little update, I got some bumpa bits from Cotswold Chickens who were great. We fitted Saturday night to all 5 girls and all went fine. I left them to their own devices Sunday and checked on them late afternoon and they have adapted really well. I'm a little concerned that they aren't able to eat properly. The bald ones crop was obviously empty and there was food everywhere where they have obviously been trying to eat out of the feeder (a Grandpa's treadle feeder which is quite deep so should be ok). I managed to make some mash with their pellets, corn and water which they could eat but the dominant hens were stopping the others from getting near and even when i put another feeder out they would run between them chasing them off. One of the dominant hens also like to kick the food all over the ground and then they cannot eat it. Will they sort themselves out or should I be concerned? I just don't want them to starve to death! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 You will need to make sure that the feeders and drinkers are deep enough to accommodate the extra length added by the bumpa bits. Part of it is technique though, and they can take 24 hours to adapt to the new distance needed. Glad that you got bits which work now. If you need any fitted, then do check that Anthony at Cotswold Chickens will be in when you visit; the other aren't sure about doing it, and he is sometimes out installing coops and runs. I can fit them as well, but I am 9 miles away from their yard so can only pop over there at a weekend if I am free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel84 Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 Great, thanks. We have them all fitted, did all 5 in about 10 mins - once the first one was done we rattled through them quite quickly. We did soak in warm water as well to give a bit of extra flexibility and all went quite smoothly. Fitting them when they had gone to bed helped as they were easier to catch and a little more docile. I made sure the feed was deep enough, hopefully they will get the hang of it fairly quickly. I let them out to free range yesterday as well and although frustrated at not being able to pick up worms they had a good scrabble about and didn't seem bothered by it. They seem to find the wet food easier to scoop up albeit a little messy! I will see how they got on today when I get home from work, I will do a crop check. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 I had same problem with Omlet ones and got some off eBay that are fine and fit them to my feather/flesh eater ok but she also can't won't eat. Too long I think so I take it off twice a day. Omlet are 25mm these are 35mm but I've got some on order from the Domestic Wildfowl Trust that are 30mm so praying they'll work fine. They've not got the weak point Omlet ones have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 OK, so looking at the photo above, they also need to sit a little further back in the nostrils - there's a flap of skin under the front of the nasal opening and the bit doesn't sit as well, so is easier to scratch out. If you check on the Cotswold Chickens youtube channel, there's a video there of how to fit them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 Cheers Clare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel84 Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 Removing several times a day for 5 chickens is definitely not an option for me. I think ours are further forward as per Plum's photo as well - some of the chickens had slightly odd shaped nostrils and it fitted better here - they were very narrow towards the rear. Does it cause any other issues if they are slightly further forwards? They are still in place and don't seem to be bothering the hens. I am continuing to make a mash in a deep bowl which they can eat ok. I am letting them out when I get home from work to destroy the garden and eat the plants which they still seem to be able to do to a certain degree. Thanks, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel84 Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 They still don’t seem to be able to eat properly and I’m very close to removing the bumps bits again. Does anyone have any advise? They look miserable today and I’m not really happy leaving them like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 How many are feather eaters? can you just remove them and give them seperate run areas. That's how I managed mine for the last 3 months. Probably not practical if it's more than a couple of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel84 Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 Hi, it is all of them unfortunately so I don’t know what to do im even considering rehoming them now as it is stressful and not enjoyable anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 Could you try and feed them something irresistible like cat food or tuna? Just to see how they cope with something they will be willing to make an effort for? if they manage to scoff the goodies, they should manage to eat their normal food. In that sense they are very much like toddlers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 I'll see how the new bumpa bits are when they come and post you a trial if they're smaller than you've got at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
