Chook pecking herself

[Jane Mac]

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!!

They get some protein - yoghurt, canned tuna on occasion. I gave them mealworms for awhile which they loved but they were expensive. I also cook up eggs for them on occasion . What other protein do you suggest?

 

[Jane Mac]

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????

What should I treat her wounds with?

 

[EmmaRainboe]

Welcome to BYC! So glad you decided to join us!

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.

This is a great idea. Try posting a seperate thread in the emergency section. When you do so you will also want to provide pictures.

 

[Pork Pie]

Welcome to BYC - you have some good advice already so I'll just say hello!
All the best

Pork Pie

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

I would back off the treats, they should not exceed 10% of her total diet. And maybe move her to a grower feed of 18-20% protein.

 

[Isaac 0]

Hello, and welcome to the BYC community.

 

[DobieLover]

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

Heaps of garden scraps can dilute total protein. Birds are not biologically equipped to digest dairy. Keep yoghurt to a very low roar.

They get some protein - yoghurt, canned tuna on occasion. I gave them mealworms for awhile which they loved but they were expensive. I also cook up eggs for them on occasion . What other protein do you suggest?

I would stick to the tuna or other canned fish. You can give them the leftover carcass from roasted turkey or chickens (yes, they eat chicken). You can even buy an inexpensive meat and cook it and give that to them.

What should I treat her wounds with?

Vetericyn Plus, Poultry wound spray or pine tar.

What is the protein content of the feed they are eating? I always recommend and feed18-20% protein complete feed. When I offer treats (I give a total of about 1/2 cup of bird seed/raisins/mealworms to my flock of 30 daily) I always add a high protein treat with it to keep the protein content up.

 

[ChickForLife]

Hi, welcome to BYC! I hope you learn what you came for and have a good time! If you have any questions, you can ask me or anyone for help!

 

[RebelEgger]

Hello from Nova Scotia and welcome to BYC! You’ve joined a great and resourceful community! Enjoy your journey!

 

[Madhouse Pullet]

Good luck!