Feather Pecking

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks for your input. To make one correction in their diet it is currently 18% grower feed for the past 6 weeks. I changed over to grower after integrating my new hens until they are at least 20 weeks old. I will try staying full time with the 18% and see if the behavior stops. As far as space they have plenty of room

Hopefully after a few weeks they start to calm down. It's starting to get late in the season, so hormones should start to slow down as well which should help to improve moods.

 

[Michael Propst]

Hopefully after a few weeks they start to calm down. It's starting to get late in the season, so hormones should start to slow down as well which should help to improve moods.

This has been a year-round issue with just her getting her head feathers peck now for probably close to 2 years

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

This has been a year-round issue with just her getting her head feathers peck now for probably close to 2 years

Is she a bottom bird in the pecking order? You could try a no pick spray. I probably would spray the head with bluekote, careful of the eyes, than release her while it's still damp in case a wants to peck at the new color. It apparently taste awful when wet. The bluekote will help hide the red color which can attract chickens. You may need to apply multiple times as it wears off. I'd try that for a few weeks to see if it helps.

Dish soap will usually remove the bluekote from your hands. Might have to scrub a couple of times.

 

[Michael Propst]

Is she a bottom bird in the pecking order? You could try a no pick spray. I probably would spray the head with bluekote, careful of the eyes, than release her while it's still damp in case a wants to peck at the new color. It apparently taste awful when wet. The bluekote will help hide the red color which can attract chickens. You may need to apply multiple times as it wears off. I'd try that for a few weeks to see if it helps.

Dish soap will usually remove the bluekote from your hands. Might have to scrub a couple of times.

I have never used Blu-Kote in the past because of the lack of testing with chickens and the fact it states on the bottle not to use on horses the will be used for meat and also been proven to cause cancer in rats. I may follow this article and make a safe homemade version of it. Home DIY antibacterial, anti-pick Blu-Kote knockoff