feather pecking

[linsrambler]

Previously i have mentioned that when I purchased my 3 Specladey hens the dark one was a bully and persistently pecked the smaller bird. She ended up with a bare bum this has now increased to include the body feathers under the wings. We regularly spray (now daily) but it appears to make no difference.
Firstly the feathers do not appear to be regrowing, can anyone help I have increased their protein intake but this does not seem to help. They are too young for their first main moult as we assess they were hatched Nov/Dec last year.
Also apart from the "nose clips " can anyone suggest how to stop this. I have a "day cage" I could put her is but it still means she would have to go into the coop overnight as they are on an allotment they cannot be left out at night and also the cage would be too cold at this time of year.
ANY advise appreciated
Lin

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi Lin,

Sorry about your dilemma. Missing feathers is usually caused by pecking, which is usually caused by overcrowding or too low of a protein diet. You said you've increased protein. Do they have at least 4 square feet per bird in their coop and 10-15 square feet each in their run?

Other causes of missing feathers can be mites/lice, but in your case of having three hens, they'd most likely be on all three of them.

Have you actually seen them picking her? If not, watch them for 15-20 minutes and see if you can determine which one is the bully because perhaps there's only one, and that's the one that needs to be separated.

To separate a bird, usually folks put them in another pen, or wire dog cage. If it's cold, then that cage goes in the coop. If the cage won't fit in the coop, then you'd have to make a pen in the coop. If there's no room in the coop to make a pen, then I'd put the cage in the garage.

 

[Debbie292d]

Your other thread has similar comments. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/feather-pecking.1676223/#post-28821115

It sounds to me from that thread that they are overcrowded. Can you come up with a larger coop and/or run for them?

 

[The Good Grumble]

Previously i have mentioned that when I purchased my 3 Specladey hens
Lin

I just red that the speckladey is a mix of RIR and Copper Maran. Marans can be notorious feather pickers and Rhode Island Reds are a pretty assertive breed. Not sure that’s a desirable mix. However, just making that point so there’s some breed understanding.

Can you post pictures so we can look at them, and your sure they don’t have depluming mites? You won’t see them. They are itchy and the girls can even pick themselves if they’re uncomfortable.

I have docile breeds but my friend raises Marans. He puts bullies in a cage for a few days in the run. Bully gets fed after the others are happily eating. This should help resort the pecking order. They may not grow feathers back until after a molt if they’ve been at it awhile. You can also get some saddles with wing protection for them. But again we’re shooting in the dark with pictures of your set-up, run, and the girls.

They also need plenty of room as mentioned before. Can you have a rooster? They’re pretty good at managing the miscreants if there is outright bullying you’re seeing.


I also just read this about the breed “The Speckledy chickens are free rangers which do not like to be kept in the same place for such a long time. Foraging is one of the most favorite activities of this chicken breed.”

Are they allowed to free range?