Chicken with disheveled feathers and diarrhea

[Haunted55]

There's almost always a bully in the group. Some folks have had success removing the bully from the flock to a separate area for a few days or a week.
Re-introduction to the flock can put that bird at the bottom of the pecking order. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. I've used Pick-No-More lotion deters pickers because it is spicy and birds don't like the taste. Some people have claimed success with dog sprays like Bitter Apple or Phooey! I had an extreme case of a nasty hen injuring other birds once. I took her out to the truck, took a car cigarette lighter and carefully burnt the top section of the beak back 1/8". The bird didn't suffer at all, but the beak was sensitive for awhile and quit picking other birds. It didn't stop her from eating and drinking either. I recommend trying the anti-pick lotion. If that doesn't deter the picking, separate the bird for awhile and re-introduce.

That's a good thing to know about the cigarette lighter! Quicker and easier than a soldering iron and a lot safer as well.

 

[Michael Apple]

No roosters. Just 6 hens.

I've noticed hens act up and some can be quite brutal to to others when a rooster isn't in the flock. A good rooster will keep order and break up fights between hens. If you can have a rooster, get one of proper size that won't be too hard on the hens. Keeping the spurs short and filed round at the ends helps too.

 

[Michael Apple]

That's a good thing to know about the cigarette lighter! Quicker and easier than a soldering iron and a lot safer as well.

It would sound extreme to someone who has never been out of the hot house, but it really isn't so long as you are careful and don't burn back too far. It used to be recommended 1/4" back by this wise old neighbor of mine who taught me quite a bit as a kid. But I've found 1/8" sufficed. I'm a softie when it comes to my chickens.

 

[Haunted55]

It would sound extreme to someone who has never been out of the hot house, but it really isn't so long as you are careful and don't burn back too far. It used to be recommended 1/4" back by this wise old neighbor of mine who taught me quite a bit as a kid. But I've found 1/8" sufficed. I'm a softie when it comes to my chickens.

It has a wide flat surface unlike a soldering iron, which is what I was told to use <shudder>, and would seem to offer less chance of burning something you didn't want to. Even if the bird was moving around. I've also seen where people have used dog nail clippers. Umm, no. Too easy to hurt the bird this way by cutting too much and I can't see me putting myself or the poor bird through trying to get their beak into them just right for the clipping.

 

[maryex]

I've noticed hens act up and some can be quite brutal to to others when a rooster isn't in the flock. A good rooster will keep order and break up fights between hens. If you can have a rooster, get one of proper size that won't be too hard on the hens. Keeping the spurs short and filed round at the ends helps too.

I wouldn't mind a rooster but dh not keen on it. I will try the separation first and if it doesn't work (or the lotion) I'll surprise my husband with a "stray rooster who just ended up on the property"