chickens picking feathers

[snowchickens]

So I bought the pinless peepers..but they sent me red ones.. is this going to be a problem?

 

[enola]

No, the pinless peepers I got were red, too. The other hens don't pay any attention to the peepers after they are applied to a hen. Just make SURE you get them applied properly. Otherwise, their nose will get sore and the hen will stop eating and drinking. I also use the peepers on young roosters if they start fighting before I can get around to putting them in the freezer.

 

[snowchickens]

Well..The pinless peepers seem to be working...No problems at all, she has mellowed out quite a bit. I hope it lasts..otherwise we'll have to find her a new home. She's really pretty and a good layer too! I'm just wondering how long to keep it on....

 

[Grundy]

I just ordered them as well. I've got a bully and she needs to chill. I'll keep you posted on how it works out.

 

[eggsited chickens]

Half of my flock of 28 have feathers missing on their backs. Some look raw too! One particular one has feathers missing from her neck now. I tried the 1 TBS of salt to the gallon of water, and their poo is like water and the gallon of water was gone in 4 hours!!! I guess we'll see what they look like tomorrow...fresh sores or if they look any better. I hope this cures some of the problem.

 

[savingdogs]

We stopped feeding scratch and their feathers are growing back in (except for rooster wear and tear). They still look scruffy though.

 

[Dora'smom]

My birds have been picking on each other, too. I know that at least some of the birds are eating the feathers they pick, so I treated it as a protein deficiency, supplementing their feed with game bird, gave them scrambled eggs, BOSS, nonfat, organic yogurt, etc. I made sure they had toys and interesting things to climb on. I knew they had enough space, so after putting two of the worst offenders in chicken jail with no change, we got some pinless peepers. They work like a charm. We have them on all but two of our birds. One of the two doesn't ever peck anyone, and the other one must have a slightly different nasal/beak structure, because all she has to do is fling her head a couple times and the peepers fly out. We have tried it with several different pair. The other birds still make threatening gestures, and try to peck, but they don't connect most of the time, so overall it is a huge improvement. I highly recommend them.

 

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
I too am wondering if it isn't a feed problem. I've been giving them a large can of scratch in the morning and a loaf of bread in the afternoon. Maybe I should mix the bread with milk? and cut out the scratch or cut back?

I know there are reasons to picking and perhaps this is the feed problem.

I've seperated the roosts so they have more room and can't get so close. Iv'e tried getting rid of the pecked on birds but no one wants them

Oh and I'm trying the salt method suggested in E.how.com

 

[urbanolive]

Quote:
I too am wondering if it isn't a feed problem. I've been giving them a large can of scratch in the morning and a loaf of bread in the afternoon. Maybe I should mix the bread with milk? and cut out the scratch or cut back?

I know there are reasons to picking and perhaps this is the feed problem.

Scratch in the summertime ??? Scratch and bread certainly don't have enough protein. I think scratch should only be fed in the winter as a treat for extra fat = energy and warmth. Maybe switching to all layer feed will help with your picking problems...

 

[rancher hicks]

well I just had a nice lady here to pick up my free chicks and you know what? She said the same thing. She said they're filling up on the corn and not eating the layer. Even though they are pasture fed.
So this is the plan.
No more scratch in the morning only a handful at night before bed. No bread for awhile and no more salt in the water either. Just some vitamins? is that ok?
I know this post crossed another. I'm sorry.
We'll see how it goes.