Feather pecking

[linsrambler]

I am newish to chicken keeping prior to the purchase of these hens in April they were 18/19 week P.O.L

I am after some advice if possible?

I have 3 Speckledy hens in a GO Up with 2 meter run.

We realised very quickly that this was insufficient space for the 3 pullets as they were growing fast.

1 of the 3 started pecking the smallest, as new to chicken owners I bought a spray which seems to help the situation a little.

Over the next month or so we purchased fencing but as this was not secure we were unable to leave the hens out all the time unless we were around (they are on 1 of our allotments).

We had a few incidents of feather pecking and one or 2 eggs being broken due to lack of space, we then obtained permission to erect a 5m x3M walk in full cage, this also helped as we live in a prevention area for Bird Flu.

It has taken a while for the hens to settle down but now seem more settled.

However we are back to feather pecking on & possible by all 3. The original culprit is now also being pecked, not sure by herself or one of the others.

The feather pecker is the dark Speckledy and she tried to be the leader. One of the 2 light Speckladys got bigger than her and is now in charge. She is quite amiable with both the others so no animosity is visible and when checked in the coop no aggression is visible.
I have tried various toys ,swings etc , the only thing they like is a angled perch which goes from the floor to 1/2 way up the side of the cage.
I am still spraying every other day improving slightly but any ideas would be appreciated

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

At this point it may just be a habit. Generally feather picking happens because a lack of space, boredom, or a protein deficiency. You could try pinless peepers on the aggressive one for a few weeks to months to break the habit.

 

[linsrambler]

That is part of the problem originally I could identify the culprit but now not so and hubby not happy to put pinless peepers on all three.
Thank you anyway and other ideas would be helpful
Lin

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Have you tried separating the others, one at a time, to see if there’s a primary ringleader? Perhaps in a metal-bar dog crate, as is used for broody jail. After several days of this, it sometimes rearranges the social order.

Also, what is the protein level of their feed? Others have commented that here in the US we’ve gotten a bit carried away with protein content, but many have found that higher amounts of protein in the feed helps. You could augment with animal protein snacks on the side: scrambled eggs, canned sardines, raw ground beef, etc. (Chickens are obligate omnivores, with some essential amino acids only available from meat, and many feeds no longer include it.)

 

[linsrambler]

Hi
Thank you for your input.
Unfortunately separating is difficult as I am short on extra space. I have a day cage I could use but that still means they have to be together over night in the coop as I have no space for a second coop.
The protein I have already upped so they have a handful of normal food with a handful of sunflower seeds in the morning and with calci worm in the afternoon. I had started to feed they other treats but found they were looking for treats and not eating their pellets, so reverted to previously mentioned