Chicken repellant???

[peterjarmo]

Thx for the advice Alaskan. They've got a big run
: 8'x13' and an 8'x4' hen house for 8 chickens so I think the space is adequate. I let them free range most afternoons/evenings. They get fed hen scratch and lots of table scraps so I would assume they're getting enough protein... It's not incessant feather pecking either, just the occasional peck here and there... Not sure what started it but hopefully the blu wound kote works... If not I'll separate her for a couple days but I'd rather not if I don't have to.

 

[Alaskan]

I completely understand! It is a hassle if you don't have something to isolate the bird in. I use a dog crate when I need to isolate.

As for space, that space you have sounds lovely.... but here...let me do math....

Think...think....think...

I think the standard recommendation is 4 square feet per bird inside, which is exactly what you have...and ten square feet per bird in the run, and you have more than that.

So, I say cross off "not enough space", can't be that

You say they get meat scraps....maybe look at the %protein in their feed, if they are being fed the lower protein feed, then switch to the higher (in my town there are just two choices as to protein level in layer feed).

Or, maybe they just need something to play with? Of course, if they get scraps on a daily basis, that counts as a toy. Maybe some leaves or hay to scratch though, some low perches in the run.

Or, do nothing....maybe it was a one time accident thing.

So hard to know.

Good Luck!

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Chickens are highly motivated to peck at red, so if the hen broke a blood feather, the others might have pecked at it. Also, you might have one bad actor that started the tail pulling, and the others joined in. Finally, maybe that hen tried to stage a coup and the entire flock beat her down the pecking order.

Since it's a pain to separate a chicken and they usually pine for the flock, you can put pinless peepers on the rest of them for a couple of weeks until the behavior stops, then take them off. Chickens aren't fond of them, but give them a few hours and they'll be ranging normally while wearing them. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...=8kiAeqQ7Zk-N_egfV378Jg&bvm=bv.47244034,d.dmQ

 

[peterjarmo]

Well I've got maybe a week left of this bag of hen scratch and then I was going to switch to layers feed as they will be right around 5 1/2 mo.s next week so I figure they'll be laying any day now... Maybe this week I'll just supplement the hen scratch with extra protein treats. I'm away from them for a couple days for work so my wife's watching them for now. If she's still getting pecked this weekend she's getting some pine tar on her heiney...
Hopefully it doesn't escalate to seperation or peepers but they are both viable options and good to know about...

 

[Alaskan]

Hum, if they are being fed actual scratch... Then right there is your problem.

Scratch is actually just a treat, or "dessert food". Fun to play with and all, but not a balanced diet, and low in protein.

You want a bag of grower for laying hens (not a grower for broilers). I can rarely find grower feed, so I feed non-medicated chick until I can switch to layer.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Hum, if they are being fed actual scratch... Then right there is your problem.

Scratch is actually just a treat, or "dessert food". Fun to play with and all, but not a balanced diet, and low in protein.

You want a bag of grower for laying hens (not a grower for broilers). I can rarely find grower feed, so I feed non-medicated chick until I can switch to layer.

X2.

You've been feeding your hens ice cream non-stop--no wonder they're acting up.

Scratch has about 6-9% protein. Growing chicks need 20% protein, and laying hens need 16-18% protein. Don't finish the bag of scratch. Save it for occasional treats. If they're around 18 weeks right now, just switch them to layer ration immediately.

 

[peterjarmo]

Shoot, had no idea. I bought the pullets at a pretty ghetto chicken farm and the lady just sold me a bag of 'hen scratch' and said to feed them that till they started laying then switch to the layers mash... I saw the grower/finisher feed at the feed store but figured it was just marketing... Well I've got the bag of layers so I guess we'll just dig into it ahead of schedule...

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Shoot, had no idea. I bought the pullets at a pretty ghetto chicken farm and the lady just sold me a bag of 'hen scratch' and said to feed them that till they started laying then switch to the layers mash... I saw the grower/finisher feed at the feed store but figured it was just marketing... Well I've got the bag of layers so I guess we'll just dig into it ahead of schedule...

I'm sure they thought it was delicious!

If you're feeding laying mash that is ground very finely and looks almost the same size as cornmeal, then mix it almost 50/50 with water until it's the consistency of oatmeal. Your hens will do a lot better on it.

 

[peterjarmo]

OK thanks for the tip. It is the same consistency as the scratch (crumbles), so they should be good with it. I feel bad I took that ghetto farm lady's advice, i should have researched that a bit more. I ended up buying a few more pullets (3 wyandottes) from a different farm a couple weeks after that and he had nothing but bad things to say about the original farm I got my first chix from...
I did subsidize them with free ranging, yogurt, table scraps, and meal worms so they did get a little extra protein...

Well, all I can hope now is that I didn't cause any long term health issues or stunted growth from their recent malnutrition?

 

[Alaskan]

I am sure they will be fine!

Chickens are actually very hardy.