Feather plucking

[thecatumbrella]

I thought of that, except she has exhibited this behavior from day one. It started as pecking and has developed into plucking. But they have perches, shallow bowls with water that I put frozen vegetables in, dust bath bin (as well as the dirt in the run) and they spend a lot of their time (by choice) inside the coop which has different levels and things to climb on. I am going to add a tree perch and ladder tomorrow to see if that may help. I also wnat to hang vegetables for them to bob at. Do you have any other recommendations? Other things I've had in the run they have ignored. And I left them for long periods of time for them to get used to. I would wven put them on the objects several times lol.

Honestly, you can do everything right and still have Pecky pulling feathers. Does she eat them as well? Because that's obviously its own reward. My d'Uccle gets visually fixated on things and will peck for hours at a plastic bucket, so I understand what you mean about her coming to you this way. I'm not a fan of pinless peepers, but they should prevent her from performing the behavior. I believe they can wear them up to 2 weeks before their nostrils need a break. If you're not comfortable with rehoming, it might be worth a shot. They're pretty cheap on Amazon. You do need 2 people to carefully apply/remove.

 

[Bickstead]

Honestly, you can do everything right and still have Pecky pulling feathers. Does she eat them as well? Because that's obviously its own reward. My d'Uccle gets visually fixated on things and will peck for hours at a plastic bucket, so I understand what you mean about her coming to you this way. I'm not a fan of pinless peepers, but they should prevent her from performing the behavior. I believe they can wear them up to 2 weeks before their nostrils need a break. If you're not comfortable with rehoming, it might be worth a shot. They're pretty cheap on Amazon. You do need 2 people to carefully apply/remove.

I did think about those, but they seem so inhumane. Ill try adding some more things and separting her for some time here and there and see if that changes anyhting. Otherwise ill have to make a decision. Its not fair to the rest of the flock. Thank you

 

[Bickstead]

Honestly, you can do everything right and still have Pecky pulling feathers. Does she eat them as well? Because that's obviously its own reward. My d'Uccle gets visually fixated on things and will peck for hours at a plastic bucket, so I understand what you mean about her coming to you this way. I'm not a fan of pinless peepers, but they should prevent her from performing the behavior. I believe they can wear them up to 2 weeks before their nostrils need a break. If you're not comfortable with rehoming, it might be worth a shot. They're pretty cheap on Amazon. You do need 2 people to carefully apply/remove.

She was eating them at first and now she just leaves them. I thought she was lacking protein, but theres no way with the diet I offer.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I did think about those, but they seem so inhumane. Ill try adding some more things and separting her for some time here and there and see if that changes anyhting. Otherwise ill have to make a decision. Its not fair to the rest of the flock. Thank you

This is how I feel. I know they can work, but I just can't bring myself to do it. Rather rehome. I'm really sorry you're dealing with this. It was a nightmare when it happened to us.

 

[Bickstead]

This is how I feel. I know they can work, but I just can't bring myself to do it. Rather rehome. I'm really sorry you're dealing with this. It was a nightmare when it happened to us.

And shes sooo sweet to people. I love her. She runs to me every time I go out. Wnats to be held.

 

[thecatumbrella]

And shes sooo sweet to people. I love her. She runs to me every time I go out. Wnats to be held.

I don't know what your setup's like, but if you can carve out a reasonable space for her... something like 3x6 to 4x8 with all the chicken amenities, you can try keeping her separated long enough to break the habit. Someone suggested to me that it could take up to 3 weeks, so it's a commitment. Not only that, but a lot of birds can't handle being alone for that long. And by "alone", I mean immediately next to the flock, but blocked by hardware mesh.

We're currently doing it right now to try and sort out some pecking order disputes that got out of hand. I'm fortunate that my separated bird is pretty independent.

 

[Bickstead]

I don't know what your setup's like, but if you can carve out a reasonable space for her... something like 3x6 to 4x8 with all the chicken amenities, you can try keeping her separated long enough to break the habit. Someone suggested to me that it could take up to 3 weeks, so it's a commitment. Not only that, but a lot of birds can't handle being alone for that long. And by "alone", I mean immediately next to the flock, but blocked by hardware mesh.

We're currently doing it right now to try and sort out some pecking order disputes that got out of hand. I'm fortunate that my separated bird is pretty independent.

I had her crated today in the run, just for a few hours. I was hoping she was a quick learner lol. She is not independent. Her little flock relies heavily on eachother

 

[FarmerGirl101]

I had her crated today in the run, just for a few hours. I was hoping she was a quick learner lol. She is not independent. Her little flock relies heavily on eachother

I think keeping her separated in the run/coop for a period of time (a few days or even a week) is a good starting point. Sometimes they just need a little reset.

I agree with your sentiment that I feel like Pinless Peepers are inhumane despite me knowing that they really aren't. I would try other mitigation techniques before starting on them. You can also keep her separated for a period of time then use the Pinless Peepers for a few days after reintegrating and seeing if that might not help.

 

[Bickstead]

I think keeping her separated in the run/coop for a period of time (a few days or even a week) is a good starting point. Sometimes they just need a little reset.

I agree with your sentiment that I feel like Pinless Peepers are inhumane despite me knowing that they really aren't. I would try other mitigation techniques before starting on them. You can also keep her separated for a period of time then use the Pinless Peepers for a few days after reintegrating and seeing if that might not help.

Thank you, I think thats what I'm going to do

 

[rosemarythyme]

But they have perches, shallow bowls with water that I put frozen vegetables in, dust bath bin (as well as the dirt in the run) and they spend a lot of their time (by choice) inside the coop which has different levels and things to climb on. I am going to add a tree perch and ladder tomorrow to see if that may help. I also wnat to hang vegetables for them to bob at. Do you have any other recommendations? Other things I've had in the run they have ignored.

I'm not a fan of food as entertainment, as it's too temporary, too much of it can throw off their nutritional intake, and it doesn't really replace foraging as far as exercise and nutritional variety.

If you garden and have any dried grass clippings, pulled weeds / spent vegetable plants, dried leaves, straw, etc. you can throw a pile in the run and let them dig through that, it'll keep them busy for a good while.

You mentioned trying other items but not sure what exactly you've tried, so here's the big clutter thread for more ideas: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/page-6#post-25037140 Since your run isn't oversized you wouldn't want to use large scale items, but the idea is to give them variety and levels.