Feather Pecking

[debbielou]

We bought 3 POL hens about 3 months ago. Almost from the start one of them started feather pecking. We have tried everything from changes in their diet with more protein and we've used all the antipecking sprays possible including the foul smelling ukadex spray but to no avail. The problem has now spread to the other hen so that there are 2 hens feather pecking the other one who now has bald patches appearing. The girls have two food troughs as well as pecking rings and broccoli hung from the ceiling to relieve boredom. They have a roomy chicken coup with a sizeable run attached. Has anyone got any advice to help with this as we are getting desperate and even considering using the bumper bit although with great reluctance - it seems cruel to subject them to this, but it's also cruel for the bird being feather pecked. Please help!

Thanks

 

[Judy]

Not sure what a bumper bit or pecking ring is. Would be interested in numbers - number of birds and actual dimensions of coop and run - as there is a lot of variation in what is considered "enough" space.

Have you checked for mites/lice? Or better yet, dusted them on occasion?

Protein deficiency, too little room and boredom are the only causes of feather picking that I know of. You might have to go with pinless peepers.