Blue Kote on Polish rooster's head

[mmajw]

Maybe you should try making a helmet like hat out of leather or hide. Maybe even out of fabric and tie it on so maybe they wont see it and stop pecking. Good luck.

 

[lilchick]

If you place anything on his head it will probably attract them to peck even more!

I have used Vic's mentholatium (spelling?). with much success. You know the kind you put on for chest colds....
It tastes horrible to chickens.... lilchick

 

[ChixFlix]

Using the Vicks-type goop: will it irritate the open bleeding wounds on the guy's head?

 

[ChixFlix]

Well, the "helmet" idea didn't go so well.

I made a little oval piece with string to go under his chin to hold it in place.

Got it on him, but he started thrashing around like he was possessed and got it off his head and around his neck in about 15 seconds. He thinks we're nuts.

So, if they keep pecking at his head, just how bad can it get?

He's so weird, he just stands there while they do it. Then he struts away like nothing happened. (Reminds me of that song by Offspring: "the more you suffer, the more it shows you really care, right?")

Still hoping for more ideas! Don't be shy...I'm willing to try anything once. The rooster doesn't know it yet, but so is he!

 

[mmajw]

They could kill him.

You may want to get a cage and put it in the coop if you cant seperate him another way and at least put him in there until he heals.

 

[chickenzoo]

I would section off a corner of the coop temperaly for him until he recovers, they could really hurt him.

 

[Crunchie]

You really probably will have to separate him 'till it heals, if it's that bad.

I use this stuff on my Polish crests if they get picked: http://www.roosterboosterproducts.com/product/50910

Once it soaks in, they'll pick it again, but if you keep applying it it usually deters them pretty well. It will turn white feathers purple, just to let you know.

Good luck. Polish are awful about picking each other.

 

[ChixFlix]

Thanks for all your replies.

Latest development: his head does not look any worse, but now (well, for the last hour) he sits alone and won't extend his neck out. He's all hunched up and when the RIRs were perched next to him to peck his head, I chased them away.

One of my little flock has been spitting up what looks like the Starter feed into the water dispenser, for weeks now. This afternoon, it looked like one not only spit up into the red part of the water dispenser, but vomited Starter feed all over the side of it, too!

IF it was the Polish rooster, maybe that's why he is not stretching out his neck and strutting around. He is just all bunched up. I wonder if he will even go into the coop at dark.

Based on your replies, I'm preparing a separate accommodation for him until I get this on track.

*sigh*

I hope this doesn't turn into a sad story...

 

[mmajw]

I would get him seperated as soon as you can, they quickly turn into cannibals and will kill him.

 

[muesky]

I had this problem with my polish roo getting his head pecked. I think the culprits were my male bourbon red turkey, he is always a bit rough with new roos but I think on of the other roosters were also at fault. What we did is let him stay in the house for a few days until his head started healing and there was no blood. It is the blood that draws the other chickens to peck. He now has feathers coming back in and George thinks he's special since he got to stay in the house.

I had this happen to a couple of hens that I did this with. Warning though is they tend to think they should always come in the house.

Of course this is the truest sign that I am a pet slave. Not everyone is willing to go to this extreme.

Hope everything works out,
Rebecca