Pecking Orders

[russell]

Howdy Everyone

I'm after some advice. we got 3 ex-battery hens last year. 2 seemed OK but one looked like she was bought from the chilled section in Tesco's. She had few feathers etc.

They've mostly all grown back but our problem is that the other two are pecking her something rotten. She now has a bald spot onher back that we are daily dosing with vaseline.

we've tried spraying her with 'anti-peck' solution and tried to fit 'peck guards' to the other two madams but nothing seems to work.

We don't want to have to get rid of her but it's not looking good. The coop that they are in is big enough for 3 so space isn't the cause.

Any one got any ideas?

[lynda66]

try putting up a mirror, and other things to keep them entertained,

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ned_23978.html

some good ideas there ..... hopefully it may distract them.

[hawthorns]

have you tried bumper bits

[Suechooks]

Try Stockholm tar - from horsey places. It's messy but I had same problem with others pecking bald / bleeding bits and it worked with one application. It's is black and tarry so wear rubber gloves to apply. I think its used on horses feet. Gentian violet is ok too but I found the tar worked quicker. As Lynda said give them some entertainment too. Try old tyres, logs and wire hanging baskets with greens etc in so they have to work a bit for treats.

[russell]

Hi

Thanks for the suggestion

hawthorns - what are bumper bits? Do you mean bits of bumper from cars? Surely not?

[Suechooks]

I think bumper bits are the things you called peck guards! They fit over the beak so they can't fully close it and cause damage I think.

[lizzylemon]

Hmmmm, I don't want to sound silly but do you know anyone who can knit or sew? My BF had Ex-BatHens who were pretty (almost completely) bald and she made coats (a bit like dog coats) for them to wear whilst the feathers grew back. Perhaps covering the spot and letting the feathers grow might help......

[di]

How many feeding bowls/troughs do you have?Of our 12,there's 3 that are definate underdogs,I make sure & put their morning food in 4 different containers & also hang up some greens & throw in some corn & more greens~seems to help to stop any bullying.We had a couple of weeks,where due to weather/lack of daylight,they were only getting fed in the mornings,which seemed to lead to a couple of them getting pecked at.I've since made sure & gone up to them at lunchtime for a second feed & the bullying has stopped.
With ours at least,it seems to be centred around food.

[Sue]

Hi
I'd echo Andy&Di's comments re food. I've had two new introductions in the past year, one ex-bat who was given to me on one of those awful "there's nowhere else for her to go" scenarios and she suffered quite a bit, she had her own food and water but come treats time, she'd get it in the back of the neck literally - when the food started running out. The other two would tolerate her when there was plenty but not when they were running the last few crumbs to ground.

Have got three new POL's now and it's much easier with three and there's been less bullying but still get the treat running out problem.
Sue

[Snadger]

Hi

Have got three new POL's now and it's much easier with three and there's been less bullying but still get the treat running out problem.
Sue

I got three 14 week old chooks a while ago. Seperated them from tuthers for the first fortnight with a 'run within the main run'.

The oldies had been trying to chase younguns away from food but they were usually too quick and didn't get pecked!

They are now about 20 weeks old and the scenario's turned around.................the younguns grab the tit bits and leg it, and the oldies can't catch em!

What goes around comes around!

[hawthorns]

i got my bumper bits from the wernlas collection give them a ring they are very helpful they will sort you out 01584 856318.

[Glutton4...]

I've got one white one, 'little one' I call her for obvious reasons, she gets bullied by all the others - poor little thing . Now I make sure there's a separate bowl at the end of the run where she stays, and I put it there before I let them out. Then when the others are following me to the other end and waiting for me to put the big bowls down, they don't notice that she's got some of her own.

It gives her about 15 minutes to fill herself before the others raid it. It must be working because her comb, small tho it is, has started to grow and redden, and she's started growing some more feathers. Dunno if she's laying, but looking at her I would be surprised.