Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Marie2020]

I don't remember what your set-up is like, but I did have a feather plucking problem my first winter with pullets. Bistro was the culprit. She has the smallest body mass and is the best flyer and didn't like to go outside in the cold. She would just sit by the door to the coop, idly plucking the one bird with a beard and then moved on to neck/chest feathers. Luckily spring soon arrived and she was busy with her normal chicken business, so this behaviour stopped.

The next winter, I gave the ladies access to the storage side of the coop and made another run, this one covered and incorporated a covered area into the original large run. This gave Bistro snow free areas to explore even in winter and she has never restarted this bad habit again.

So, the short answer is try to evaluate their living conditions. Could this just be a high energy hen who needs more room? Do they have enough enrichment in their lives? You mentioned protein, could a weekly treat of some sardines help? Just some ideas. Let us know what happens next!

My reformed feather plucker:

View attachment 3407987

I give mine sardines around every two weeks and especially when they have been moulting. I found that the low fat natural yogurt helps to.

 

[TX Chick Noob]

I wish I had some ideas. Other than the random peck at Phyllis's head that grabs a feather I've never had that problem here. You may need to go outside this thread for help.

I will say that most feather pecking comes from either boredom, overcrowding, or lack of protein in their diet.

I am not an expert by any means, so if someone else chimes in with something that sounds better - go for it.

This, however, is my thoughts based on my experience and a bit of judgement (? correct? incorrect?) on my part.

1) If you can place 'baffles' in the coop/run so not all hens pecking the ground with butts in the air will be visible to Scarlett may help. ( something like physical visual barriers like large stumps, hanging cloths randomly within the coop (and/or run), etc. Any physical/visual things to break up lines of sight.

2) Whenever possible, hang some food item for them to peck at (multiple ones at a time) Such as: apples, cabbages ( decent sized ones can be halved or quartered), creating multiple different things to be pecked at, so all aren't at the same one jockeying for access This will keep them occupied with something other than each other's butts!

3) If possible, have hubby move things around in the coop/run once a week. Keep them off balance and ';re-exploring' their area to investigate changes.

4) If you can find any, see if hubby can on the weekend, rake up a bunch of leaves (damp ones are super) and throw them into the run/coop floor. Give them something new to scratch/hunt in/through.

5) Give them a new 'toy' that has treats they have to work for. I don't have a picture of one I have used...but I will try to explain it. Take a ROUND/Cylindrical plastic seasoning container (such as an empty oregano or italian seasoning container) Drill a half dozen small holes in it at various spots around the container. Fill with scratch grain, toss into run. The chickens will have to move/roll the container to get it to 'spill' its contents. Makes them work for the scratch and keeps them occupied. Just make sure the drilled holes are only slightly bigger than the diameter of the scratch grains, so just a little falls out with each movement of the container, and note that you may need to lightly sand around the drill holes to remove the sharp burrs caused by drilling.

Obviously - with #5, don't overdo the amount of scratch they get daily - but a couple of these 'toys/treat dispensers' can give them quite a bit of entertainment with not a whole lot of scratch. It keeps them physically 'busy', mentally occupied, and most definitely focused on something else than their companions fluffy derrière!

6) are you able to easily get a bag of rice hulls? @micstrachan buys them sometimes - her girls love scratching through - I suspect they find pieces of rice mixed in with the hulls. The hulls make a good additive to their bedding, and rice fragments give them incentive to be digging, scratching and pecking through the hulls.

Lastly, if you can purchase a different bedding than usual, just once...and top-off or clean out the coop/run and use the different bedding, it will - for a short time - create interest.

(If the girls bottoms are pretty exposed, then dabbing some anti-peck on them to darken the bright pink of flesh may also help to keep it from escalating. Sorry, I don't remember the name of the product, but there is an anti-peck spray/daub on treatment just for this purpose. - maybe someone else can chime in with the name of the product? )

So, no one of these alone will fix the issue, I suspect, but more space and a couple of these suggestions might make a noticeable difference.

And, while I hate to suggest this, it could be a 'last resort' kind of thing - especially if it is pretty much JUST Scarlett who is the culprit. You might be able to put her in a 'see but not touch' cage/pen within the coop/run so she can't peck the other's bottoms/feathers - at least during the day, for a short period of time to see if it helps. if you do this, please do give her something to occupy her time, so she doesn't develop other bad coping behaviors.

Sorry for the long windedness of this...and know that I am quite sure you have thought of at least some of these things already - but it is all I've got. I do so hope that you are able to help her find other, more 'constructive' things to occupy her time!



Edited to add: @BY Bob has an excellent point that I completely overlooked: level of protein in their diet. Maybe try a feather fixer feed in a separate feeder for a bit to see if that makes a difference? (or just use it in their regular feeder in place of what you are using)feather fixer is usually slightly higher in protein (or, alternatively, pick up a bag of grower feed in your usual brand - that is also usually higher in protein than the standard layer feed.) They can then choose the higher protein if they so want.

I don't remember what your set-up is like, but I did have a feather plucking problem my first winter with pullets. Bistro was the culprit. She has the smallest body mass and is the best flyer and didn't like to go outside in the cold. She would just sit by the door to the coop, idly plucking the one bird with a beard and then moved on to neck/chest feathers. Luckily spring soon arrived and she was busy with her normal chicken business, so this behaviour stopped.

The next winter, I gave the ladies access to the storage side of the coop and made another run, this one covered and incorporated a covered area into the original large run. This gave Bistro snow free areas to explore even in winter and she has never restarted this bad habit again.

So, the short answer is try to evaluate their living conditions. Could this just be a high energy hen who needs more room? Do they have enough enrichment in their lives? You mentioned protein, could a weekly treat of some sardines help? Just some ideas. Let us know what happens next!

My reformed feather plucker:

View attachment 3407987

Thank you all for your input and suggestions.

I doubt nutrition is the issue unless she has really high protein requirements. Their feed is 18% protein, which should be plenty when they aren’t molting. But I will still try to find a way to offer a high protein treat a few times a week. I have been looking into chicken skewers and other ways to provide fruit/vegetable treats a few times a week but haven’t found any I like. But I will keep working on that. We do throw some scratch, or grass clippings, etc, in on occasion for them to scratch around for. And since the coop has a dirt floor they do scratch around a lot since they occasionally find bugs. And of course we add small amounts of more shavings several times a month which they enjoy spreading around and mixing in. But I will see if DH has time to rake up some leaves or something to add in for this weekend.

I don’t have any way to provide them more space at this time. We have been trying for several months to find a way to build them a separate run that we can put them in at least a few times a week. But for now (due to finances, my injury, and some other factors) they are in their coop all the time. It is 120 sq feet for 11 chickens, which is almost 11 sq feet per chicken. There are three nest boxes and three 10’ roosts of different heights. I have three feeders, and usually two waterers, but it is currently just one heated waterer for the winter. There is a large trash can that holds shavings and several buckets (with their food and other items inside) for clutter, but they probably need to be spread out a little more or moved around occasionally. I will see if I can think of anything else to put in it, but that will take time.

As a last resort I will cage her during the day for awhile to try to break the behavior. But that will have to wait until I am mobile. There is no way my DH will have time or ability to do that. He is already extremely overwhelmed and overloaded.

I wonder if part of it is also that I haven’t been able to visit them regularly. Me being out there for short periods almost every day probably have her more mental stimulation.

Thanks again for the advice. If anyone else has more suggestions please feel free to add to the conversation. And here is a pic of the coop to show the current setup a little better.

 

[RoyalChick]

Aww, Bernie is thinking of giving you a welcome home present.

Awww yes! Why didn’t I think of that? OK. Feeling less hurt now!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I have a genetic Silkie question. If you get eggs from a white and buff Silke are the chicks gonna be those colors or can throwback genetics work its way in and give me diff colors.

According to the silkie experts on here on the "Silkies are simply Spectacular" thread white is actually dominate white or recessive white. That white bird could be hiding who knows what genetically. I would expect white or buff chicks, but do not be surprised if another color pops out. The lady I got the eggs from that Branch came from at the time only had black silkies. I had a chick die in the shell from internally pipping into the yolk sack, it was white. Later that summer she hatched out some eggs herself and ended up with 2 white chicks.

 

[RoyalChick]

Thank you all for your input and suggestions.

I doubt nutrition is the issue unless she has really high protein requirements. Their feed is 18% protein, which should be plenty when they aren’t molting. But I will still try to find a way to offer a high protein treat a few times a week. I have been looking into chicken skewers and other ways to provide fruit/vegetable treats a few times a week but haven’t found any I like. But I will keep working on that. We do throw some scratch, or grass clippings, etc, in on occasion for them to scratch around for. And since the coop has a dirt floor they do scratch around a lot since they occasionally find bugs. And of course we add small amounts of more shavings several times a month which they enjoy spreading around and mixing in. But I will see if DH has time to rake up some leaves or something to add in for this weekend.

I don’t have any way to provide them more space at this time. We have been trying for several months to find a way to build them a separate run that we can put them in at least a few times a week. But for now (due to finances, my injury, and some other factors) they are in their coop all the time. It is 120 sq feet for 11 chickens, which is almost 11 sq feet per chicken. There are three nest boxes and three 10’ roosts of different heights. I have three feeders, and usually two waterers, but it is currently just one heated waterer for the winter. There is a large trash can that holds shavings and several buckets (with their food and other items inside) for clutter, but they probably need to be spread out a little more or moved around occasionally. I will see if I can think of anything else to put in it, but that will take time.

As a last resort I will cage her during the day for awhile to try to break the behavior. But that will have to wait until I am mobile. There is no way my DH will have time or ability to do that. He is already extremely overwhelmed and overloaded.

I wonder if part of it is also that I haven’t been able to visit them regularly. Me being out there for short periods almost every day probably have her more mental stimulation.

Thanks again for the advice. If anyone else has more suggestions please feel free to add to the conversation. And here is a pic of the coop to show the current setup a little better.

View attachment 3408029

As others have said I think more space would help.
Could you also try and give them more ways to distract themselves? I can think of two things in that category. The first is hanging food. You can hang part or all of a cabbage or a corn on the cob and that will keep them engaged for hours. I also saw a very nifty DIY food dispenser that had them pecking on a swinging thing in order for their regular food to come out. I will try and find it and post it. I think it was from New Zealand.
The second is stuff to jump on and off and run around. Could you put an old table or bench in there? Mine love to run under a bench and then hop on top and then run around the legs. Also good distraction.
Just some ideas that might help.

 

[ValarieF]

According to the silkie experts on here on the "Silkies are simply Spectacular" thread white is actually dominate white or recessive white. That white bird could be hiding who knows what genetically. I would expect white or buff chicks, but do not be surprised if another color pops out. The lady I got the eggs from that Branch came from at the time only had black silkies. I had a chick die in the shell from internally pipping into the yolk sack, it was white. Later that summer she hatched out some eggs herself and ended up with 2 white chicks.

Ty that helps a lot.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Happy Hatch day in heaven my dear Ezzie.

 

[Ponypoor]

You know, you can put solid roofing up in small sections at a time! Your 'run' is quite long...and if I remember correctly, part of it you need to keep 'open' to be able to access your paddocks with a truck if need be. That said, you could, on an area that doesn't need the flexibility of access by truck, choose to put a few roofing panels wide across the run ( the 16' direction). A couple wooden cross-members, plus a 12' and an 8' plastic or metal corrugated roofing panel would go across the run. Start with it 3-4 panels wide (6-8') While at that small width it won't give a lot of truly protected space on a blustery day - it would be a great start. When you are able to put up the next 6-8 feet of roofing panels, it will start to have some REAL protected space. AND, you can always hang a tarp on the run wall facing the wind in the colder weather to give them semi-protected space out of the wind/weather. I think this is quite doable! Just plan big but start small!

Note: given where your run is, I think I would suggest the plastic, as there is a type that allows light through, but blocks UV rays - and thus makes it slightly cooler as well in the summer without blocking the needed sunshine in the winter. (as much as I don't like plastic, in this application it is probably better - at least for parts of the 'roof' of your run, than all metal that could make the run pretty dark.)

Yes the run is long - it runs from the barn up to the front paddock gateway. The way I made it, the long south side it 6' tall, and the long north side the height of the board fence (~54" high). I plan on running 2x12, 18' long 'beams' across the R.R. in the locations where I want to put in solid roofing. I need to be careful on the horse fence side to ensure no sharp edges that the horses can get cut on so I was thinking I would go with PVC panels instead of metal. I can't believe the cost of it though - wow!

The mesh I can find easy enough, and will definitely make sure to have that covering everything in the run. Especially since I have seen the raptors at my place and others who have described their harrowing challenges with them.

I have a few trees that will make things challenging though.... Remember I strung the baling twine across the run last Fall:

 

[RoyalChick]

As others have said I think more space would help.
Could you also try and give them more ways to distract themselves? I can think of two things in that category. The first is hanging food. You can hang part or all of a cabbage or a corn on the cob and that will keep them engaged for hours. I also saw a very nifty DIY food dispenser that had them pecking on a swinging thing in order for their regular food to come out. I will try and find it and post it. I think it was from New Zealand.
The second is stuff to jump on and off and run around. Could you put an old table or bench in there? Mine love to run under a bench and then hop on top and then run around the legs. Also good distraction.
Just some ideas that might help.

I found a link to the feeder I was thinking of. Itbisnt where I first saw it - that was a lady and she used a cork instead of the PVC coupling. But it was the same idea.
This guy is talking about how it detwrs rats and wild birds and keeps feed dry (all good things!) but the thing that caught my eye about the design is how the chickens would be distracted because they had to work for their food.
Anyway, I haven’t tried it but I thought it was an interesting idea.

 

[Ponypoor]

Thank you all for your input and suggestions.

I doubt nutrition is the issue unless she has really high protein requirements. Their feed is 18% protein, which should be plenty when they aren’t molting. But I will still try to find a way to offer a high protein treat a few times a week. I have been looking into chicken skewers and other ways to provide fruit/vegetable treats a few times a week but haven’t found any I like. But I will keep working on that. We do throw some scratch, or grass clippings, etc, in on occasion for them to scratch around for. And since the coop has a dirt floor they do scratch around a lot since they occasionally find bugs. And of course we add small amounts of more shavings several times a month which they enjoy spreading around and mixing in. But I will see if DH has time to rake up some leaves or something to add in for this weekend.

I don’t have any way to provide them more space at this time. We have been trying for several months to find a way to build them a separate run that we can put them in at least a few times a week. But for now (due to finances, my injury, and some other factors) they are in their coop all the time. It is 120 sq feet for 11 chickens, which is almost 11 sq feet per chicken. There are three nest boxes and three 10’ roosts of different heights. I have three feeders, and usually two waterers, but it is currently just one heated waterer for the winter. There is a large trash can that holds shavings and several buckets (with their food and other items inside) for clutter, but they probably need to be spread out a little more or moved around occasionally. I will see if I can think of anything else to put in it, but that will take time.

As a last resort I will cage her during the day for awhile to try to break the behavior. But that will have to wait until I am mobile. There is no way my DH will have time or ability to do that. He is already extremely overwhelmed and overloaded.

I wonder if part of it is also that I haven’t been able to visit them regularly. Me being out there for short periods almost every day probably have her more mental stimulation.

Thanks again for the advice. If anyone else has more suggestions please feel free to add to the conversation. And here is a pic of the coop to show the current setup a little better.

View attachment 3408029

If you can get a few bales of straw and pile in there they love to jump on that, and fly off of. AND tear it apart and eat any seeds! My kiddos destroyed a straw bale in a couple hours at Christmas! Made a terrible mess but they had fun doing it!

If you can get even hay bales - 3 stacked 2 on the bottom and the third on top like a pyramid they love to jump off that - I also put 2 on the bottom and leave a space between them and place a third as a bridge across the top Great place to poop on also hahaha!

A step ladder is also fun my 3-step ladder seems to be a great place to jump up onto poop on and then jump off hahahaha.

I see the barrels in your run - do they like to jump on that? it looks way too clean mine would be covered in doodoo in no time!