Feather pecking

[chicksinschool]

Hey all! I have a small flock of 3 hens and 1 roo (more hens in the brooder). For the past month one hen has been eating the Roo's feathers. I have tolerated this behavior due to previous crop issues but now she is healthy. I have changed her food to a higher protein, she has vitamins in her water and a flock block in the run. What else can I do? She has recently drawn blood, I really do not want to remove her from the flock.

 

[sourland]

Try an on site search on 'Pin Less Peepers'.

 

[chitownhens]

I have tried pin less peepers in the past and my own experience was that it really stressed the hen out.........I couldn't bear to watch so I removed it. But it might work with some hens so it's worth a try. I also tried the no pick spray and that didn't seem to help much. What did work for me was a flock block.........it gave them something to peck at when they were bored.

 

[chickens really]

Sometimes pecking becomes a habit and extremely hard to break..Removing the pecker might be your only option...