bleeding from being pecked during molt

[DobieLover]

but put her in at dusk on the perches.

I would not do that unless you plan to be back out before dawn to get her off.
Can you post pictures of your setup?
How many hens do you have?
What are you feeding them?
Welcome to BYC. This is an old, inactive thread.

 

[Machooks]

I would not do that unless you plan to be back out before dawn to get her off.
Can you post pictures of your setup?
How many hens do you have?
What are you feeding them?
Welcome to BYC. This is an old, inactive thread.

We have decided not to put her on the perches now. We are leaving her in isolation until her feathers start to open. We have 6 hens and we feed them on Barts Garden Mix as they are just backyard chickens. The feed includes things like layers pellets, dryed sweetcorn and peas, oyster shell etc.

 

[DobieLover]

We have decided not to put her on the perches now. We are leaving her in isolation until her feathers start to open. We have 6 hens and we feed them on Barts Garden Mix as they are just backyard chickens. The feed includes things like layers pellets, dryed sweetcorn and peas, oyster shell etc.

I suggest switching them to a more appropriate balanced feed like Flock Raiser, All Flock or even a good chick starter. Keep oyster shell on the side in a separate container.
How much space do they have? If they are crowded with nothing to do in the space, very bad habits can start.

 

[Machooks]

I suggest switching them to a more appropriate balanced feed like Flock Raiser, All Flock or even a good chick starter. Keep oyster shell on the side in a separate container.
How much space do they have? If they are crowded with nothing to do in the space, very bad habits can start.

They have plenty of space with a tree stump and 2 perches. We also have bark covering the floor in their run so they have something to scratch around in. We have 2 grit and oyster shell containers around the run so it is not just in their food. We also have a mirror so that keeps them occupied too. They get regular boredom buster treats and toys. I think the pecking is down to Mabel molting and having a few bald patches where new feathers are coming through.