Aggresive, skitish behaviours

MandS

Crowing
9 Years
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Hi all

I have searched the forums and the web for answers but none of the things I have read really relate well to what is happening here. Hopefully the wisdom of others will help. I'll try to be very specific here.

The flock:
2 x red sex links (3 years old) - one is top of the pecking order but isn't nasty about it
1 x Light Sussex (2 years old) - is the one who started the feather pecking and now terrorises the following chicken
1 x Araucana (2 years old) - she is badly beaten up, yet she can dominate one of the sex links (who is effectively second in pecking order with all the others)
1 x Maran (2 years old) - skittish, will dominate the araucana but nobody else

The coop.
House: (6 x 4) with 3 levels and stairs, plus sleeping quarters, 3 nesting boxes (although they all tend to use one at a time!) So about 36 sq ft of flooring space excluding nesting boxes and sleeping areas.
Run: L shape (6 x 4) and (6 x 3) - all fenced off and covered with clear pvc roofing material (stopping wild birds and their poo - useful for all the UK bird flu prevention as well as keeping it dry). So about 42 sq ft of outdoor area. Some things in there for interest (tree stumps, separate sand pit).

Issue:
They all lived harmoniously for 2 years but then the Light Sussex developed a taste for vent feathers. At first it was aimed at the Araucana, who allowed her to do it. We ended up with a bared bottomed Araucana (still is). She then started on the Maran, who is also now bare bottomed. She has tried it on the Sex Links, but they have told her where to go! It then progressed to the back of the Araucana, which is near the tail and oil gland. It became bald and has really encouraged the Maran to give her hell in the same spot. It has bled and is scabbed, hence I actually have her separated at the moment for recovery and the feathers on her back to grow back.

The Light Sussex has blocked nostrils and huffs and puffs through her mouth. We've tried clearing this with salt water but it never seems to get deep enough - so, I think when we have used anti-peck sprays, she simply doesn't smell or taste the nastiness and continues pecking. She eats everything she pecks.

Annoyingly, one of the sex links and the maran have now a curiosity about vent feathers. They don't do it all the time, but they do occasionally.

The Maran has become very skittish and as mentioned, will now beat the Araucana up at any opportunity, so she is now hiding most times.

Solutions:
  • I've tired the protein route - giving them tuna. No change
  • Sprays - no change
  • Apron - no change
  • Separation (for a few days) of both the Light Sussex and Maran together - no change

What can I do?

I am now tempted to build a second coop for the Araucana and get her some other Araucana friends.
I have bought Bumpas but haven't fitted yet as they seem like a very last resort.

Sorry this is long, but I want to give as much info as possible.

Thanks
 
I picked up a pair of GEMs that had this issue. When they went into my flock, they started trying this with my girls, they put talons in their face! As did the rooster, here they have lots of room, 150'x225' so they can get away from others. IMHO your birds need more room, and things to do, places to hide out, perches to get up on (in the run). IF I was going to separate out, I would separate the feather pickers, and IF they cannot stop their activity, I would cull them (involves a pot)!
Good luck
 
HI

The space you have for your hens is bigger than the space we have for our chickens, our house and our family! From a space perspecitive, we used to let them roam all day when we just had 3 sex links, however a daytime fox got one of them in front of our eyes (horrible) and so we only let them out if we are there to guard them. The run is pretty big for 5 birds according to all I've read, but maybe it isn't...

I have read the first link before when I was doing my research. However the second link is broken. Thanks for help though.

I am hoping that someone will have seen similar behaviour and circumstances. Fingers crossed.
 
Post a pic of your coop and run please.
Run space is pretty small.
I'd isolate the sussex, as she seems to be the ringleader.
 
Chickens that haven't been bred for their temperaments tend to throw a psycho here and there. Most have been bred for production qualities, which might include level headedness, early on in their breedhood, but later for color, and finally just to be warm bodies to fill chick orders. They are pretty brutal and savage animals at best. You have a couple options, cut her beak back about an eighth to a quarter of an inch and she will quit doing that for a while. Cut it back to behind her ears and she will quit doing it permanently. Don't be surprised if one of them takes her place as a bully, might be worse. A rooster keeps hens from being as neurotic, but have their own quirks.
 
Also the old saying that Birds of a feather flock together is so true. Some breeds are more aggressive as some are Docile. Others handle confinement better than others.
Birds colour can play a big part in aggressive issues..
 
Also diet; what are they eating? Too little protein can be an issue.
Removing the offending bird may be the solution, and having more space, more things to do, and any diet issues fixed.
Mites or lice? look hard at night with a flashlight, and treat everyone if even one bird has one.
Mary
 
Thanks for the detailed information. I'm not sure how you get 36 square feet out of a three-level 6x4 but maybe a lot of that is stairs. Or maybe nests and roost space? Still, that's just mainly curiosity. They lived in that space for two years until the behavior of one changed so it's probably not a lack or space problem. With those three levels they should have plenty of hiding space if they want to hide.

I have not seen your specific issue. The only feather pecking I've seen was a hen plucking the throat feathers of a rooster, leaving a bare spot. I isolated the rooster for a couple of days and the behavior stopped. Like yours that behavior started out of the blue after they were mature. I have no idea why.

Checking for mites or lice would be my first step. Those generally like to be around the vent because of the moisture and they can stain the area, maybe giving her a target to peck. It sounds like it is now a habit, nothing to do with mires or lice now.

It does not sound like you tried isolating the Light Sussex by herself. I'd probably do that for a week, away from the others if I could. See if that makes any difference. You do need to let that Araucana heal up before you put her back with the others. The raw wound could be a problem in attracting the others to peck at her. Unless the feather shafts were totally removed don't expect the feathers to grow back until she molts. I would not worry about the bare spot, just the raw wound.

I personally do not allow one chicken to upset the peace and harmony of my flock, male or female. I raise mine for meat even more than eggs and I hatch a lot so I always have replacements in the pipeline. My solution is easy. You are in a different situation. Your space is pretty tight to consider integration. I'm not sure what your plans are for replacements down the road.

Since you mention you are willing to build additional facilities you might consider building something for the Araucana and Marans by themselves and leave the LS in with the sex links instead of bringing in new chickens. That way you don't have to worry about an integration or quarantine. If possible, I'd build that new facility attached to the run with a currently closed door to give you a lot of flexibility when you decide to bring in more chickens later.

Good luck, this is challenging.
 
Apologies for the delay. I was away but now have access to my photos.

Here is the layout:

Shed - this is the main 6 x 4 shed. 3 levels and a sealed sleeping area
the-shed.jpg

Inside steps - shows the ladders, which they have no problem with at all
inside-steps.jpg

Close up of steps - shows each 2ft x 6ft floor area on first and second floors
steps-closeup.jpg

The extension - shows the new bit (6.5 x 4) and the outside (another 6x4 in front of the shed
Extension.jpg

The grass lasted about 2 weeks. We occasionally get 2 rolls of turf and put that in the extension. It keeps them busy for a while. The extension is also gated, so they can be locked in there when we are cleaning.

The shed is a proper 6 x 4 shed that we bought and then converted. We designed 3 levels (there's also storage of things at the very top too). On level 2, there are 3 nesting boxes, and although not fitted when this photo was taken, there is now a privacy flap that covers them, so they enter from the side and it is dark and private.

I have other pictures, so if anything isn't clear, I can probably find something.
 

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