Feather Eaters - Jeepers Creepers

[newhenstein castle]

There are bare and raw bottomed chickens in my flock. I never experienced this before. But come to think of it the buff orpingtons started eating down feathers when they were all still chicks. At first we thought it was cute how they went after the flying objects but now this has become a real problem.

4 ladies and only one, the buffy, hasn't lost any feathers. Though her back is slightly fringed. I had two more before and identified them as the culprits by spying on them with binoculars. I got rid of them to someone with a rooster to teach them manners. Unfortunately it seems that the rest have adopted the bad habit. I can't be sure which of them are the pickers and I don't have time to spy anymore.
I heard about beak guards (they make them without the pins). Has anyone tried that? Or do you recommend something different?

Looking forward to advice. Poor guys.

PS: they free range and have a fabulous diet.

 

[broodieswelcome]

Try pine tar. It is super sticky use gloves! Spread it on the bare areas and they should stop pecking each other. They hate the feel of it on their beaks it just might break the habit.

 

[Judy]

A couple of good threads on feather picking:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/517547/peepers-removed-and-no-feather-picking-d/0_20#post_6586027

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/697052/i-think-i-found-a-miracle-cure-for-feather-picking/0_20

 

[newhenstein castle]

Hey flockwatcher, thanks for the links. I know now what to do.
Blue buns it is.

 

[newhenstein castle]

Try pine tar. It is super sticky use gloves! Spread it on the bare areas and they should stop pecking each other. They hate the feel of it on their beaks it just might break the habit.

that sounds so messy I will have to give the blue paint a try first. thanks for helping!