Has anyone used these Chicken blinders?

[tanktop74]

Pinless peepers work well if you know which birds are the aggressors.

I am very observant of the flock when I am home, have several ISA browns and novogen hens that are red sex links with Rhode Island reds, that seem to be doing observed picking. Will start with them.

 

[ShannonR]

Hmmm didn't think about nutrient deficiency, what could they possibly be missing? I feed high quality feed, made locally at my feed store, have oyster shell always available, feed veggies from the garden, and they free range. Any thoughts?

A bit short on protein is my first guess. Low phosphorus and sodium levels may also result in picking or cannabilism. Your feed store mixing their own feed actually makes this a little more plausible.

Here is a good read:
https://articles.extension.org/page...nibalism-in-small-and-backyard-poultry-flocks

 

[GC-Raptor]

Part of the problem I gather is that the aggressors are a Rhode island red cross breeds, every one else is docile breads, orpingtons, astrolorps, copper marans, silkies and white leggins.

Yeah, I've read Rhode Island Red can be aggressive and best kept with their own kind.
About the Pinless Peepers those you've shown don't have the groove for the Comb. . . You notice in the last picture you posted the chicken doesn't have a comb. It looks like a pullet. You'll need the grooved Pinless Peepers for the RIR. GC

 

[tanktop74]

Yeah, I've read Rhode Island Red can be aggressive and best kept with their own kind.
About the Pinless Peepers those you've shown don't have the groove for the Comb.View attachment 1879754.View attachment 1879756. You notice in the last picture you posted the chicken doesn't have a comb. It looks like a pullet. You'll need the grooved Pinless Peepers for the RIR. GC

thanks, luckily i bought 2 different sizes in 2 different kinds to see which worked best.... this is the second kind I ordered! YAY!

 

[GC-Raptor]

feed veggies from the garden, and they free range. Any thoughts?

A higher Protein feed would be a good idea. 40 chickens are gonna devour a lot of the bugs in their free range area. So it wouldn't be long before the bug population would diminish, and eating veggies from the garden and grass and weeds while foraging, they may be lacking enough Protein.
I Would feed a All-Flock or Flock Raiser feed with 20% Protein or one of these. A couple of free range feeds that are available in the U.S. and are 21% Protein. GC. .

 

[ShannonR]

A higher Protein feed would be a good idea. 40 chickens are gonna devour a lot of the bugs in their free range area. So could be deficient eating veggies from the garden and grass and weeds while foraging.
I Would feed a All-Flock or Flock Raiser feed with 20% Protein or one of these. A couple of free range feeds that are available in the U.S. and are 21% Protein. GC.View attachment 1879766.View attachment 1879767

Thank you. I know this thread is about the peepers, but that is putting a bandaid on the problem, and comes with its own set of drawbacks (think predators!!). Addressing the nutrition and looking at other root causes of the picking seems like a better all around solution.

My vote is nutrition. OP: did you read that link I posted in my last response? It has some very valuable info which addresses the root causes of this problem.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I concur on the protein. Also how is your feeder set up? It could be feed competition as well. We personally have 3 feeders for 8 birds but they live in a very small space. If you only have one feeder you should get another

 

[tanktop74]

I concur on the protein. Also how is your feeder set up? It could be feed competition as well. We personally have 3 feeders for 8 birds but they live in a very small space. If you only have one feeder you should get another

I have three of these feeders, hold 35# of feed and each is rated for 20 birds, so I figured I had plenty of feeders, they never fight over the feeders, always multiple holes open for birds.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have three of these feeders,

Check that your hens wearing the Peepers can eat from the feeder.
I have the galvanized version of that feeder and my Hens wearing the Peepers couldn't eat from it. I had to put up a more open feeder for them. . Yeah I hung up a small pail. GC

 

[aart]

I have a flock of 40 hens, in a huge coop (160 sq feet, 16 nesting boxes and more than enough roosts for all and their friends) with outside run and they free range.

How old are these birds and how long have you had them?
How long have they all lived together?

How big is run?
Dimensions and pics would be great
Do they free range all the daylight hours?

Hmmm didn't think about nutrient deficiency, what could they possibly be missing? I feed high quality feed, made locally at my feed store, have oyster shell always available, feed veggies from the garden, and they free range. Any thoughts?

There should be a tag on the feed bag showing the nutrient percentages and ingredients. Protein and calcium levels are the key ones to know.
How much veg do they get..gallons or a few handfuls?