A way to deter pecking/ bullying??

[saym]

I just stumbled upon an old school remedy for a way to repel other chickens from pecking and or rough treatment. (I have 13 hens, 1yr old +) but one of the slightly older chickens is mounting three of the younger ones to the point they have raw patches on their shoulders. Unfortunately, they are all Red, so it's very hard to detect which one is bullying the others. I read that they used to use talcum powder,,since we can't get Talc anymore, DE maybe???

 

[Eggcessive]

I would first determine why they are pecking each other. Overcrowding, a lack of enough protein in the diet, too hot in the coop, certain aggressive breeds, too many roosters, too much light in the coop, etc? What are you feeding? Do they get outside to free range?

A couple of good inexpensive anti-peck products easily found online or at feed stores in the horse supplies are Nustock Cream and Pine Tar. They taste bad and also have healing properties.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HHSIYQ/?tag=backy-20

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...4R31Ncy2RmSFGjxclXOuwwL4seiNiJLYaAsJ-EALw_wcB

 

[Pork Pie]

Here’s an additional link - Feather pecking

 

[saym]

Thanks for the reply! I am feeding 16% layer, they have a fairly big pen and house, I do feel that 13 is too many, but have had more in a smaller pen with no problem.. They do not come out to free range, although I have gotten them to come out into the vegetable garden when it wasn't in production. We have had some very hot days but just went through two days of freezing..so These all may be factors.I'll see what is available in this area..we are no longer in NV.
Thanks again!!!!

 

[Eggcessive]

Spend so time with them during the day and again at roost time (when many peck and vie for the best spots on the roosts.) Some breeds can be more agressive. I had to once rehome a few wyandottes that were more aggressive than some of the other gentle ones. Some use a product called pinless peepers to help prevent pecking. I could not imagine not letting my chickens outside every day to roam around. Predators are around, but my chickens would throw a fit if they couldn’t get out to hunt and peck for insects in the yard. The dirt and grass seem to have goodies or trace elements that satisfy them as well. Even letting them out that last hour or two before they normally would go to roost is better than not getting out. Just a thought. Here is another article about pecking:
https://extension.psu.edu/poultry-cannibalism-prevention-and-treatment

 

[Pork Pie]

Another useful link - Space requirements