Feather picking

[7L Farm]

I know I'm jacking this thread but I just checked & the roos beak is purple. I'm serious their eventually gonna kill each other My ? is why? Its not protein. I have giving them alot of protein. Any other suggestion. I hate what their doing but I have no idea how to stop it. Sounds crazy but I guess I'll just watch em die.

 

[Judy]

I would free range them. I know, predators, but if they are killing each other anyway.... at the very least, you would then know that space is the underlying problem. Sometimes when this kind of behavior gets established, it will last for the life of the bird, similar to some egg eaters.

 

[patman75]

I have gone through this. I put pinless peepers on 3 of my 12 birds that I caught picking feathers. I gave them a lot of extra protien and still give them extras. I had a lot of extra beef, pork and deer liver and I would cut it for them up or hang it in their run and it would keep them entertained. I added flock blocks also to keep them entertained while they are cooped up and hang cabbages. I throw in extra BOSS when I collect eggs or when I'm outsisde.

They rarely want to leave their 8X8 coop with the snow on the ground and being soo cold. So I give them everything in the run to try and coax them out and get them moving around.

Good luck

 

[7L Farm]

Quote:
I do but not all day. Guess, your right what do I have to loose. I hate to loose any cause their great egg layers. I've gotten 125 eggs since Jan 1 from 10 pullets. I do have a bunch of fertile eggs from them to be incubated. But along wait for more eggs. Thanks, I'm turning them loose.

 

[chickerdoodle]

Quote:
Have you checked for lice and mites? Those things can drive them nuts sometimes.

I would also get them outside--in a run at least. Shovel snow out of it if you have to. Toss some hay (alfalfa would be best) or even straw on the ground and toss BOSS into it for them to scratch and keep busy. Add multi level perches for them and places in the run to get away as well as extra feed and water stations. Block strong winds with tarps or wood, bales of hay or whatever you have. You may have to figure out a way to separate some of them. Look around and get creative if you can or you will loose these birds. Keep us posted!

Hmmm---I give mine warm mash in the morning, just their normal layer mash mixed with water and they eat like its candy!

 

[7L Farm]

Quote:
Have you checked for lice and mites? Those things can drive them nuts sometimes.

I would also get them outside--in a run at least. Shovel snow out of it if you have to. Toss some hay (alfalfa would be best) or even straw on the ground and toss BOSS into it for them to scratch and keep busy. Add multi level perches for them and places in the run to get away as well as extra feed and water stations. Block strong winds with tarps or wood, bales of hay or whatever you have. You may have to figure out a way to separate some of them. Look around and get creative if you can or you will loose these birds. Keep us posted!

Hmmm---I give mine warm mash in the morning, just their normal layer mash mixed with water and they eat like its candy!

No mites. They have a run. It doesn't snow here. Have two water stations. They free range 4 to 5 hours a day. I feed them greens from the garden, all kinds of meat, boss, flock block, their well taken care of. I now have peepers on them. They have seemed to slow down but sure as I'm saying this they will start again. I don't have a clue why they keep doing this. Their great laying birds & I just put 48 eggs in the bator.I hope the pecking gene isn't passed on or I'll shoot myself. LOL

 

[SallyMama]

This is my actual first real message under a topic..if I'm doing it wrong, someone let me know please

I have had a couple issues this winter..all my girls ganged up on my one Roo and tried to eat his comb. Blood everywhere!!! I had to have him in my garage for about a week, being sure he had a good scab going before he went back.
This is my first go-round with chickens and needless to say, those girls are top priority! I think about them all day!! Tee hee heeee
I was concerned about why the girls would gang up on him and he doesn't even fight back! He always puts the girls first..OR..he's just a real weenie!!! Yesterday I noticed a White Rock with the feathers plucked/blood just at the base of her comb on her neck. My girls REFUSE to touch the snow! I try to make them paths so they at least attempt to get out! Anyhoo, I bought this huge block of suet for (chickens/turkeys) and reorganized their coop yesterday to try to give them something to peck on besides eachother! They sang my praises yesterday and jumped all over my knees while I watched them..Hopefully this will help <3

 

[True Grit]

One of my girls started on one particularly chicken just in front of her tail and then another, and, as I coated them with Pick-No-More, she has started on a third one. In addition to giving more protein and things to scratch around for, should I separate her for a couple of days to move her lower in the pecking order? It has been a long cold winter but they do go out to their run 98 percent of the time.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
You could try seperating her. You might want to try pine tar. IMO, it works much better than pick no more or blu-kote.

 

[True Grit]

Ok thanks. I'll try it.