So I am having a pretty bad problem with picking in my flock of 6 hens. Foot picking, to be more precise. My hens are starting to pick at each other's feet, to the point where one of my hens can't even be outside without some kind of bandage, or they will pick at her feet so bad they are reaching the bone at one spot on her foot. This happened last year, and it took me 5 months to get one of my hens foot to the point where she could even be outside without a bandage. Just when I thought it was healed, or when it was almost healed, the girls would find a way to pull off her bandage and start picking, or they would tear open the freshly healed skin.
Well, after last years problem was taken care of, I thought they were done. But about a month ago they started picking open my blind hens feet, after she tore one of her scales and started bleeding. And it has been a constant problem ever since. Just when I think her foot is healed and the problem is done, they pick her back open again.
This morning I went out and they had pulled off both of her bandages (which I swear were on there really well), and picked open her feet again. Then when I was trying to get her out of the coop and away from them, I noticed that they have started picking at another hens foot.
What do I do about this? I don't think it's a problem with boredom. They don't seem bored. They get lots of treats, and they get to free range about once a week, and I always give them lots of grass clipping to pick at. So it's not boredom. It doesn't matter how much treats and things I give them to keep them busy, this problem still persists. What should I do? I can't get my hens feet to heal..... And I really can't deal with changing bandages on ANOTHER hens feet. So any ideas why they are doing this and what I can do to stop it? I'm going on a two week vacation in a month, and i really need to get this problem cleared up before I leave my hens in the care of someone else....
Thank you for any help and advice anyone is able to give.
Well, after last years problem was taken care of, I thought they were done. But about a month ago they started picking open my blind hens feet, after she tore one of her scales and started bleeding. And it has been a constant problem ever since. Just when I think her foot is healed and the problem is done, they pick her back open again.
This morning I went out and they had pulled off both of her bandages (which I swear were on there really well), and picked open her feet again. Then when I was trying to get her out of the coop and away from them, I noticed that they have started picking at another hens foot.
What do I do about this? I don't think it's a problem with boredom. They don't seem bored. They get lots of treats, and they get to free range about once a week, and I always give them lots of grass clipping to pick at. So it's not boredom. It doesn't matter how much treats and things I give them to keep them busy, this problem still persists. What should I do? I can't get my hens feet to heal..... And I really can't deal with changing bandages on ANOTHER hens feet. So any ideas why they are doing this and what I can do to stop it? I'm going on a two week vacation in a month, and i really need to get this problem cleared up before I leave my hens in the care of someone else....
Thank you for any help and advice anyone is able to give.