Chicken Blinders

[kathrynmary]

I just purchased a buff orpington laying hen that has a blinder on. The blinder has a pin through it. I would like to remove it since it seems painful and unneeded. Can any one help? Thanks

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Do you know what kind they are? Usually if they are the straight kind of pin that is shaped kind of like a key, cut off one end with a pair of pliers and pull it through. With the rings, wire cutters to cut them. Do they put them on all their birds? I would worry she is going to be a problem if she had them on and most of the other birds did not.

 

[kathrynmary]

Thanks for the quick answer. Almost all the chickens she had had the blinders on. I thought I could cut them off, so I will tomorrow. And then I will slowly introduce her to my 2 juvenile Americanas and my 2 7 week old Americanas. Anything else I should know? Like if it bleeds when I cut it off should I put some antibiotic on it?

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

Just go slow with removing them. I have used pinless peepers on mean hens before and sometimes the nostrils can bleed a bit. Usually the bleeding stops quick. Have some corn starch ready to pack on any big bleeds as it will clot the blood. Towel her up and lay her in your lap on her back to work on her. Make sure she is tightly wrapped in this towel in case she gets scared and thrashes.

Good luck and keep us posted! I hope you can get them off of her safely. I have never used the blinders with pins before.

Welcome to our flock!

 

[kathrynmary]

Thanks again!

 

[Kelsie2290]

http://shilala.homestead.com/peepers.html There are pictures of the pieces on there, so maybe you can figure out what you are dealing with... with the straight pins be sure you cut off the complete end so you just have the pin part left.

 

[kathrynmary]

Thanks for the information.

 

[gander007]

 

[drumstick diva]

Sounds like that person had too many birds, kept in crowded conditions and needed to put blinders on them to prevent fights/cannibalism etc. I would keep a close watch on her that she doesn't attack your birds. If she has been on the receiving end of attacks - she will think other chickens will try to hurt her too.

 

[kathrynmary]

Yes the chicken owner that I bought the bird from did indeed have too many birds. I haven't had time to take out the blinder yet. I will keep her isolated for a while when I do so she heals and gets comfortable again seeing. I hold her at least once a day as I do with the other chickens so she comes to know me. I hope it isn't to late for her to be normal. By the way where do chickens like to be petted the best?