Advice on head being pecked bloody

[2468Chickensrgr8]

I have the same problem ...also have a white creasted polish black hen....and she gets abused...I've made the coop bigger and that helps a little ...a friend of mine had to seperate hers into another coop altogether and of course she had to buy more of the same breed to keep the hen company....

Is pine tar okay for the other hens to digest for us to be able to eat their eggs?

 

[EllyMae]

I really don't see them eating it...once it's on their beak, they do everything in their power to get if OFF their beak, lol. I use it and havent had a problem with them eating it.

 

[chutewoman]

I agree with Elly Mae, I have used pine tar on hens that were attacking each other badly. Lost two hens from the attacks. The same hens will every now and then pick each other again, but I just apply a coat of pine tar to the wound and they will leave her alone. It saved my flock. It is stinky and messy to use but I apply it with the back of an old spoon. Make sure to keep it on the wound frequently for the first couple of days, if they pick it off put it back on quickly. She may look awful for a while but in time they will think she taste bad and learn not to pick her. Maybe in your case put it on her before she goes to bed so when she wakes up the other girls will get a fresh new mouthful of it. The eggs should be fine, we never stopped eating them, others have said the same thing.

 

[Farmgirl_dk]

This is EXCELLENT information - looks like I have a plan for tomorrow: go to local feed store and obtain a bit o' pine tar! I will let you know how it works.

Thank you again!!

 

[Andora]

I hope it works!!

I just rehomed a young WCB Polish roo who was getting his head pecked bloody. My coop and run are a bit small for the number of birds I have, but they free range almost everyday, all day. I never saw any pecking during the day either, so I assume it must have been happening at night in the dark. I hate the sight of a bloody head. Polish are so sweet and funny, I think the other chickens see that as a weakness or something.

 

[chellebyerly]

at what age can you start using pine tar? I have some that are close to a month old. (about 3 weeks). One is getting pecked, and I currently have it sectioned off in the brooder, BUT she is MISERABLE.

and I am getting day old bannies this week. and the sectioned off part of the brooder is for THEM. LOL

she is a RIR. or Production Red. I am pretty sure. I know she is red and thats 2 of the breeds I bought. LOL

 

[Farmgirl_dk]

I purchased a can of pine tar yesterday (about $4.50 for a small pint size can). It says in giant letters on the outside:

"DANGER - Harmful or Fatal if Swallowed
Call Physician immediately if ingested"

Applying this to my hen's head that other hens are pecking makes me more than a little nervous. I want them to stop pecking her, I don't want them dead. (ha ha, but still serious....)

The pine tar is really stinky and VERY sticky stuff . It's hard for me to imagine, if this keeps them from pecking her, that any new feathers are going to be able to grow on her head.

Those of you with experience w/Pine Tar, could you please chime in?

Thanks again,
Danni

 

[chutewoman]

It seems like pine tar has been used for MANY years with no trouble. I have used it on my hens when nothing else would work, but my hens were going to die if the others would not stop pecking so I was ready to do anything. I first tried everything mentioned on BYC and when nothing worked I tried the pine tar. They do not eat it, they get a small taste and wipe it off their beaks. My birds eventually do clean it off themselves and none of them have gotten ill or act any different. The small amount that is tasted must not be enough to harm the bird, that is all I can figure. Yes it is sticky but the feathers do grow back in time with no trouble. I will continue to use it every time they have a wound.

You as an owner need to make a decision based on research and gut feelings. If you feel like it is not the cure for you then keep looking through this site and you will find a different way to go about it. I hope the best for your girl!!

 

[Farmgirl_dk]

Thank you, Chutewoman. Your advice is sound. I have researched EVERYTHING I can think of in attempting to find a solution to Dottie being pecked. I had just run out of options, so it is lovely to read of something that people have had repeated success with.

I have just finished a first-smearing of the pine tar on Dottie's head. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that it helps - she needs it!!

Thank you again - to everyone. I'll post a follow-up with my results.

danni