I have 14 hens, & 2 roosters, lots of different breeds, bought them all as chicks in May. The Alpenspitzzer and Salmon Falvoles (sp?) are picking and eating feathers from the other hens, mostly the saddle area. My other hens are Wynodottes, Wellsummers, sussex that seem effected so far (the barred breeds and roosters have not be hit yet). I covered the worst hen with a cloth till it fell off and she was looking lots better by then, but now they are attacking again and even more hens are bare backed. I also put some nasty bitter herbal spray on all the birds to discourage them, but it didn't seem to have much effect. They get a good diet, lots of whole grains,hard red wheat, even kelp & yeast & herbal suppliments. I have just started to add sunflower seeds to see if that helps. My observations are always the same 4 hens that are picking, I would really like to keep them but this has got to stop. What sort of nasty tasting stuff can I put on the hens to keep them from picking?
any suggestions would be appreciated,
thanks
any suggestions would be appreciated,
thanks