Do you cull a feather plucker?

[holly1225s]

I have one of my hens doing this above and below the tail of 3 other hens. She is such a good producer and didn’t want to get rid of her that I am trying saddles on the 3 right now. Seems to be helping as I see feathers growing and the area doesn’t look red and irritated.

 

[sophiehatter1057]

Oh yes, that's a male. I'm thinking that's why he's behaving the way he is. Once he's older he might be very aggressive. Time will tell though.

That was my gut feeling but I don't know why. What gives it away?

 

[sophiehatter1057]

I have one of my hens doing this above and below the tail of 3 other hens. She is such a good producer and didn’t want to get rid of her that I am trying saddles on the 3 right now. Seems to be helping as I see feathers growing and the area doesn’t look red and irritated.

I thought about saddles. Where did you find yours?

 

[sophiehatter1057]

I once had one out of 15 chicks (hatched by an experienced broody) that went after the vents of the other chicks.
The momma hen tried to get it in line and prevent it from pecking the others, but the chick was too fast for her slipping under her belly and between her legs and very determined.
I separated it for two days to calm down, but the Instant I let it join the others it started again chasing after the hatch mates and violently pecking at their vents making them bleed and scream.
The momma hen was desperate trying to prevent the cannibalism but failed, so I immediately grabbed it and culled.

No guilt here, sometimes one has to take drastic measures to ensure the safety of the others.

Your aggressor chick looks like a male to me and as his behaviour is already going on for almost half his life I doubt that he will turn around and become a social and competent cockerel/rooster.
As passing this problem bird on to someone else is a no go, culling would be the right choice in my opinion.

That sounds *exactly* like my situation. I'm having a giggle at your description of the cockerel who can't reform his ways. I'm fascinated to learn how you can tell it's a male? (For example, I have another Easter Egger from this same lot that looks very different, but has a large-ish comb, but is very docile and pullet-y looking...only that comb of hers gives me pause). Is it a combination of comb, feathers, and temperament?

 

[ChaosMom]

That sounds *exactly* like my situation. I'm having a giggle at your description of the cockerel who can't reform his ways. I'm fascinated to learn how you can tell it's a male? (For example, I have another Easter Egger from this same lot that looks very different, but has a large-ish comb, but is very docile and pullet-y looking...only that comb of hers gives me pause). Is it a combination of comb, feathers, and temperament?

I have an Easter Egger that was noticeably different in size and appearance from her flock sisters and posted pics on the Breed/Gender subforum. I was assured that she was a she, because males had splotches of red and their shoulders, and their overall coloration was more irregular. That seems to describe your problem chick.

- Mine also has a pea comb, frequently seen with EEs, and at 18 weeks is just now barely visible, mainly because turning red. Pea combs don’t pop out early like single combs, so it’s harder (for me) to guess m/f from them.

 

[sophiehatter1057]

I have an Easter Egger that was noticeably different in size and appearance from her flock sisters and posted pics on the Breed/Gender subforum. I was assured that she was a she, because males had splotches of red and their shoulders, and their overall coloration was more irregular. That seems to describe your problem chick.

- Mine also has a pea comb, frequently seen with EEs, and at 18 weeks is just now barely visible, mainly because turning red. Pea combs don’t pop out early like single combs, so it’s harder (for me) to guess m/f from them.

So at 5 weeks, my two aggressive chicks (EEs) both have three perfect rows of peas. One chick is the one I posted pictures of here. The other one has an even more developed, distinct 3 rows, and redder comb already. Would that be a male?

 

[ChaosMom]

So at 5 weeks, my two aggressive chicks (EEs) both have three perfect rows of peas. One chick is the one I posted pictures of here. The other one has an even more developed, distinct 3 rows, and redder comb already. Would that be a male?

I am now officially Over My Head on this - I’m too new!

You might want to start a separate thread on the Breed/Gender subforum asking this, including pics of each (labeled #1 and #2, for instance.)

One (each) from above showing the comb and another from the side of the entire chick, showing its color patterns.

Good luck with this! My EE acted differently from the others, but has never once been aggressive. Her different behavior was that she took on the role of flockmaster, keeping on alert for predators, especially from the sky.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I had two feathers pickers (though not as young as yours). They get once chance to reform in chicken jail, then they're out. Rehoming mine to a free-range situation fixed the problem (the new owner was fully informed of their behavior beforehand). If I couldn't rehome, then it's off with your head. Unfortunate, but some chickens just aren't wired right. And I refuse to let the behavior spread.

Sorry you're going through this. It's very, very stressful to deal with.

 

[sophiehatter1057]

I had two feathers pickers (though not as young as yours). They get once chance to reform in chicken jail, then they're out. Rehoming mine to a free-range situation fixed the problem (the new owner was fully informed of their behavior beforehand). If I couldn't rehome, then it's off with your head. Unfortunate, but some chickens just aren't wired right. And I refuse to let the behavior spread.

Sorry you're going through this. It's very, very stressful to deal with.

This is such a kind and helpful reply. Thank you for this!

 

[Folly's place]

I agree that this bird is really not behaving well and needs to go, either as dinner, or maybe to another flock, outside, with many adult birds who can make him eat humble pie. With full disclosure!
Don't feel guilty about this, you can't fix his little brain, it's just who he is, and his hatchmates deserve better. Remove him today so they don't have to deal with this bad actor any longer.
Is he going after everyone, or just one victim? Either way, it's not good.
Mary