Feather Picking: HELP!! Getting worse!

[enola]

Try using "Peepers". They block the hen's vision straight forward, so they cannot focus on the feather to pull it out. They can still see to eat and drink. The hen will seem confused and may walk funny for a few minutes after you apply the peeper, but will soon have moving around all figured out.

 

[CarolAnn]

Chicken blinders????

 

[boogiedog]

I had that problem and ruled out protein issues (I feed 22% protein feed, BOSS); I also have Flock Blocks and lots of fun stuff like hanging cabbages, perches in the run et al - still there was some feather picking.

I purchased pinless peepers (cheapest by far from nationalband.com) and put them on the offenders. (They are easy to put on, you will need two people to do it. I warm them up in hot water to soften the plastic which makes it even easier...) It seems to have significantly reduced the problem. I plan on taking the peepers off in a few months to see if the behavior has been eliminated. (I have heard that sometimes it is an age-related thing, just when they start laying), but who knows.)

Good luck!

 

[CorporateGranola]

@boogiedog and enola

Thank you both very much! I was really upset about the possibility of having to rehome my poor Polish girl. She's so sweet, but I don't want her to be hurt, so I'll do what is best for her in the end. I'm going to keep her separated from the other girls until her top hat grows back a bit, then I'll put no-pin Peepers on the "ring leader" of the pecking. Hopefully that will solve my problem. I'll post back with results.

You all are wonderful, thanks for all your help!

-=cg=-

 

[Newyorkrita]

Quote:
I have seen the Peepers for sale but could never figgure out exactly how they work. I see they come with pins or you have to buy the pins separate for them. Exactly how does one use these? None of the places selling them have any instructions for use. Also when serching for peepers, I saw something they call bits which are also an unti pick device. Those look like either metal or plastic sort of rings. Anyone tried those instead of peepers?

 

[CarolAnn]

The little tab ends go into the bird's nostril? How does that affect their breathing/sense of smell. Or do chickens have a sense of smell. I don't know!!!

 

[boogiedog]

I purchased the pin-less plastic peepers - there are little plastic stubs that go into each nostril. I must admit, I was also concerned at first, but given the alternatives felt I had to try. Within minutes of putting them on, the hen went back to "normal" - pecking around, scratching, no problems at all. Does not seem to impact breathing, eating, drinking or normal behavior.

I used the plastic peepers as they don't require a special plyers. Very easy to put on. I warmed some water in the micro and put the peepers in to get them softer. With my DH, we got them on each bird in a matter of seconds. The reaction of the flock to the first few peeper-wearers is pretty hysterical - everyone stands and stares. Then, life goes back to normal!

I really am curious to see how/if behavior has changed when I take them off in a few months.

Corporate Granola - please do let us know how it goes. It certainly has made peace in my flock, and saved me from having to rehome any of my sweet hens.

 

[shortstaque]

Wendy'sChicksRock :

Also, went to a really cool Urban chicken lunchen today and the feed guy there said by giving them mash/crumble instead of pellets helps keeps them busy and not as likely to "pick" at eachother. He said to mix it up... pellets for a few days/scratch/mash and so on.. make them work for the food a little..

I've also heard that using nipple waterers instead of water from a bowl type waterer satisfies the pecking instinct and keeps them from going after one another as much.​

 

[cherylcohen]

http://www.eggcartons.com/product-exec/product_id/754/nm/Pinless_Peepers_PINLESS_P

They work wonders

 

[Dora'smom]

They do work wonders. I think they probably saved the lives of several of our hens.