Bare Bottoms and Pecking!

[alyssa558]

I heard that, too. They get to free range most days (when my husband is home). I am also going to get them a mirror and some bird toys! Hopefully, that will help with the boredom. However, I have even seen them do it when they are free ranging. I saw one hen pick another while she was dusting. I am going to still work on the protein, additionally. My two pickers are the best layers and it stands to reason that they need protein more than the others. I'll keep you posted! Let me know what you try, too.

 

[livin-green]

Well, confirmed. I have a picker!

I was hanging around outside today and watching them without being near them (when I go over that way, all they do is follow me around, so I can't tell then). Anyway, I've got the biggest one of all picking at all the rest! Aaarrgghh! They were out of anything to keep them busy while we were working on the hanging cabbage thing, and she was pickin' away! Darn booger-head!

Guess, I'm going to do kinda' what you're doing--keep supplementing extra protein since they all need it to recuperate and try to keep them busy. I'm not even sure where to place any anti-picking stuff because she was just going at any place she could. I've also cut the extra lighting....guess we'll see.

Let me know if you have any luck with something specific.

 

[toyahansen]

Hot pick spray and give the little darlings some cheap cat food.
I had the same trouble and now they are well on the road to recovery! Wishing you the best of luck!

 

[PacsMan]

Quote:
It sounds like your pecker is the "mother hen".
If so, I've read that if you keep her away from the rest of the flock for several days, it "knocks" down her status in the flock several levels. As the flock exists without the pecker, a new mother hen will rise to the occasion. When you reintroduce your pecker, all (may be) well.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

If your birds don't have mites then vick's vapor rub is my suggestion. Put it on the picked places liberally. The picker will not come back for more of that. It works much better than any anti- pick cream on the market. It won't harm your birds. I also make sure I have lots of bermuda hay. I give it everyday. Just remember a bored bird is a bald bird.

 

[alyssa558]

Oh, I really like the idea of the Vick's vapor rub! I am using the purple stuff right now and it doesn't seem to be working. And I am purple, too.

My girls have hay as their bedding and they do not eat it. Is the Bermuda hay different? Mine is probably alfalfa.

 

[LynneP]

There's one other thing that might help- lessen the foods containing sugars. Almost all birds and mammals have members that get higher glucose levels from eating too much, and will turn cranky. This may be the missing part of the puzzle and if you separate her and get her sugars down, she may return with a much-improved attitude.

I wish you the very best of luck with this, I have 12 and I adore them but sometimes 'Golda' made me very annoyed. I found that barriers in the coop keep her calmer too, less eye contact. She used to be a shrew!

 

[ArizonaNessa]

Quote:
I used to use alfalfa but it leaves little sticks behind but I do not use it for bedding in the bottom of the coop. I give a fresh clump everyday of the bermuda and mine eat every bit of it. I also use it inside my nesting boxes.

 

[alyssa558]

Well, I tried to make a saddle but it didn't fit very well. I am going to refine the pattern and try again!

I have also been using the Vick's Vapor Rub but I don't know that it is helping. The chickens sure do smell minty-fresh, though!

 

[ArizonaNessa]

Quote:
Minty Fresh Chickens that could be a new breed. Lmao!!