2 questions from a newbie with pullets

[sorrell]

I do have a few questions, if anyone can help me and they probably wont be the last, so apologies!

The first is about my blue 10 wk hybrid. she arrived with a feather plucking problem She plucks her own feathers, but doesnt eat them. I had hoped she would stop, seeing that her new environment is so much better; she now has a garden to roam and peck around in instead of a 6ft square dirt floored pen. i have watched her sit under the trampoline and pull 3 feathers out this morning.

thats not counting the other blue feathers floating around as well! she is bald under her wings and round her tail. she only sports 2 tail feathers! she is the boss bird in our coop. she is the biggest out of the 4 birds and is the bully, although she has calmed down now she has established that she is the chief! how do I stop her?

the 2nd question is how do you tame up chickens that are between 10--12 weeks old? these chickens hadn't been handled before we got them. I dont want to scare them but i do want them to come up and also be ok about being handled. One of the chickens now will come up to me and feed around my feet and from our hand, but the other 3 are reluctant to and keep their distance. so any hints/tips would be greatly appreciated there too!

I am so glad that there is place to ask for help and advice!

Thank you in advance xx

 

[Rebel Soldier]

Here are some answers to your problems.First of all, I am glad your chickens have free range as that will solve a lot of issues. Try my mite and louse treatment, I posted a article on it earlier. Also,feed her some dry dog food, about 1\5 of her ration. You can feed it to the others as well, It wont hurt them.As for the tameness issue Continue to put yhe feed around your feet. If one is eating around you it is only a matter of time before they all are. I have 40 years experience with american games so let me know if I can be of any asssistance..

 

[TXchickmum]

It sounds like a potential mite issue to me (but I'm not an expert by any stretch). If you got the birds from a less-than-desirable environment that didn't properly house/care for them, they may have some minor health issues (mites, etc.). -sounds like you are giving them a great, loving home with a good environment in which to roam. -with some time and a persistent presence, they should adjust and get used to you being around them and feeding them. -bet they all come running before long when they see you with feed!! -best of luck with your new flock!

 

[rungirl]

If she continues to pick feathers even after you're sure she's bug free, you can put some pinless peepers on her. I've had success with them on feather pickers. It doesn't hurt them and they can still eat with them on.

As far as taming, my daughter is the expert, but basically you just spend time holding them. She scoops them up and cuddles them on her lap. They aren't happy about it at first, but eventually they settle down and after a while they like it. Some of them like to jump up into our laps when we are sitting out in the back yard.

Have fun!

 

[sorrell]

Thanks for the response.

Here in the UK pinless peekers are illegal on animal welfare grounds so I cant buy or use them. I looked through all of the birds feathers (esp around the wing pit and vent, where i have read you can find signs of) and can find no signs of lice/mites. But I will still go and buy some de-lice/mite treatments, just in case, cant hurt them all to have a dose of that!

I did buy antipeck spray before I saw your response and sprayed her with that. I will let you all know how I get on.

Had my tamer chicken hop on my leg today, she is so food orientated! just wished the others would still be less timid, although today they did come within 1 foot of me to eat some bread crusts from the kids sandwiches. so I suppose thats some slow progress!