Feather Picking: HELP!! Getting worse!

[crtrlovr]

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I have cockatiels who do this exact same behavior, and one hen who will reach up and HARSHLY peck at her mate, then lower her head back down for him to pick at her head again...

They get plenty of protein and treats. I have several bonded pairs, and most of them have either picked heads and necks, and a couple are naked all the way down their backs. If I separate them from their partner, they get so stressed they completely panic. I talked to an avian vet who has been to several symposiums on FP, and his advice was if the minor measures (distraction, new toys, remove all hints of possible nesting areas...) don't work, just leave them alone. That might work for 'tiels, but it definitely won't work for chickens. Good Luck!

 

[Newyorkrita]

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How long do you keep the Peepers on for? Thanks for the link

 

[boogiedog]

I think the peepers on nationalband.com are cheaper...

I think they can stay on indefinitely - barring any physical problems with them, which I have not had or heard of. I am going to probably try to take them off after a few months just to see if the behavior has stopped - but if it has not, I will put them on again. I bought 100 peepers from Nationalband for about $20 including shipping...cheap! (and they have a ton of cool colors to choose from...).

 

[Newyorkrita]

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Thanks

I just e-mailed for their catalog as I had not known about them before. Don't need the Peepers yet but I figgure sooner or later I will and would like to be prepaired.

 

[FlyingFChick]

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Just out of curiosity, what does the black oil sunflower seed do to reduce pecking? I just bought a bag to try it!!

 

[CorporateGranola]

Update:

The ring-leaders (Light Brahma and SLW hens) who were picking on my Polish have had pin-less peepers on for about 3 1/2 months now. Since applying the peepers, our flock has been injury free and very happy! We even started getting our first batch of eggs from our smallest black silkie.

I can't say enough great things about NationalBand.com's service. I called them and asked them if they sold pinless peepers in smaller quantities, because I only have 9 birds. Her response was to say, "How about I just send you a few "samples" and if you decide you need more you can buy them from us for ~$20/100." I was floored by their generosity, and I hope if you guys ever need to buy them, please go to nationalband.com.

 

[FlyingFChick]

I think I might be the only one that has chickens that can still peck with the peepers on!!! My 3 ISAs have figured it out and I have seen them do it!! They stand either on the ramp to the coop or on higher ground and peck at the others below them!!! I would rehome them, but they are my best layers!!! They only pick on 3 others, so maybe I might rehome them...

 

[7L Farm]

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No your not I have the peepers on my flock . Their still pecking. If your using blue kote its easy to figure out who's pecking just look for the purple beak. I've always used ACV in my water which hasn't helped with the pecking but it is good for them. Has anyone ever tried adding a tablespoon of salt per gallon of water to stop the pecking. I read you add the salt in the AM & then in the evening you take the salted water away & repeat for three days.