Chook pecking herself

[Jane Mac]

I have a young chook that is pecking herself really badly. She has a huge bare patch on her back that is red raw looking. I know she is not being pecked by other chooks as she sleeps in a separate cage with only one other chook (a very gentle Frizzle who I am sure is not doing it) and they all free range during the day. Plus I have seen her do it. How can I stop her doing this? Is it worth wrapping a bandage around her over the injured area?

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal Flock!

im sorry to hear about your sweet bird. I would suggest posting your concern in the Emergency forum. Until the bird heals, I would definitely separate her from the rest of the flock and treat her wounds. Do you have a dog crate that you can put her in and maybe put it in a garage????

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Have you carefully inspected her for lice or mites?

 

[416bigbore]

Hello Jane and welcome to BYC, You found an Awesome poultry Forum to be a part of with many great knowledgeable members who are more then willing to jump in and help you with any questions you may have.

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC.

Have you carefully inspected her for lice or mites?

Once you determine that she is parasite free, you might want to provide her with a 'chicken saddle' so that she and/or flock mates are unable to feather peck/pluck her.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Hi and welcome to BYC! What all do you feed them?

 

[gluckgluck9000]

Hi welcome!!

My girls do this exact same thing, it's so annoying I have bought them saddles and it didn't work, I got different types of anti-plucking sprays and gels and they still peck at their own backs.

I have a post about this that a lot of people responded to it might be worth checking out.

A lot of suggestions I got was to
-increase their protein
-bigger coop
-cull and start over

I hope you can figure it all out!!

 

[Jane Mac]

Hello, and welcome to BYC.



Once you determine that she is parasite free, you might want to provide her with a 'chicken saddle' so that she and/or flock mates are unable to feather peck/pluck her.

Thanks for that. Where can I get a chicken saddle? Sounds like the best idea. Pretty sure she is free of mites but will check her again

 

[Jane Mac]

Hi and welcome to BYC! What all do you feed them?

We feed them Barastoc Top Layer and Darling Downs but I also give them heaps of kitchen and garden scraps and often I make oats and yoghurt for them in the morning. She's the only one exhibiting this behaviour, the others are all healthy and happy

 

[gluckgluck9000]

Thanks for that. Where can I get a chicken saddle? Sounds like the best idea. Pretty sure she is free of mites but will check her again

Heres who I got mine from! Super cheap and great quality! She is such a kind seller.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/723909633/hen-chicken-saddleapron-lf-denim-sturdy?ref=yr_purchases