Haven't posted in a while but chickens have grown and my flock has 3 yard/coops now. One coop 12 hens, just successfully integrated 7 new ones to the OG 5. Middle coop has 9 bantams, 3 roosters and 3 hens...Ironically they all get along great. 3rd one has one Brama Rooster (Phillip) and 7 hens. Each run and coop is HUGE - plenty of room, bars to roost on, average size is 16x20 runs and coops very. But spoiled is an understatement. BUT NOW I'm having issues in #3 - 2 lavender Orpington hens are pecking Phillips feet and today I saw one of them literally pecking at his chest. He just takes it. I've cleaned up his feet and put the no peck..seems to help but what can I do with these 2 hens? if I separate them for a week or so will it break the thought process? Attached are pics of coops with birds. Phillip is so docile, they are the same age....all about 11 months old.
Feather pecking on my Bramas
- Thread starter MCreery
- Start date
- Jul 3, 2020
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Sometimes they do this for grooming or when one has something they don't have - like feathered feet, cheek muffs, crests, etc. My brahma grooms my easter eggers beards as I guess she doesn't like them to have a beard (because its different). They just stand there and let her. It's not causing any issues - bleeding or bullying, so I don't bother with it. When you watch her she's doing it "sweetly".
If there's no harm, I wouldn't worry about it. Just keep an eye on it. He obviously can take care of himself.
If there's no harm, I wouldn't worry about it. Just keep an eye on it. He obviously can take care of himself.
Boise-girls
Songster
Beautiful set-up, and Phillip is gorgeous!
My Three Chicks
Crowing
Yes love your set up!
- Thread starter
- #5
If the 2 lavender hens were not both doing it and making his feet red and slight bleeding...he literally doesn't have any leg feathers right now...poor boy. And yes, he sits there and lets them do it. Now they are pulling feathers out of his chest (right below the neck). I re applied the no peck....but he looks like a purple monsterSometimes they do this for grooming or when one has something they don't have - like feathered feet, cheek muffs, crests, etc. My brahma grooms my easter eggers beards as I guess she doesn't like them to have a beard (because its different). They just stand there and let her. It's not causing any issues - bleeding or bullying, so I don't bother with it. When you watch her she's doing it "sweetly".
If there's no harm, I wouldn't worry about it. Just keep an eye on it. He obviously can take care of himself.
I'm getting ready to build a small run that I can put them in for a few days, maybe break the cycle.Boise-girls
Songster
Seems like a good idea! Poor guy!
- Jul 3, 2020
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Ok. You didn't mention blood in your previous post.
- Thread starter
- #8
Sorry, didn't want to be too over dramatic,.....its not "bleeding" and the slight blood was very surfaced. I cleaned them. applied that blue stuff for a few days then started the no peck. If I keep it applied it seems to work a good bit but he hates it.
- Thread starter
- #9
I vowed to keep him and my Fizzle bantam rooster (we thought were hens) when we got them in February. The irony is how calm Phillip is. not like 4 other roosters I've had to re home.
- Thread starter
- #10
Thank you,
everyone says how spoiled they are!! Can't really free range, only have 2.5 acres so want to keep them safe. Maybe a bigger fenced area one day. but they definitely have plenty of room!
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