Help!! Is a chicken saddle the answer?

[NaturalChick]

My hens are pecking each other bare!

It started with just a couple of hens being pecked on the back.

I put Blu-Kote on the bare spots and separated them but the pecking has spread to the tails, wings and necks of ALL OF THE HENS NOW.

I put another feeder in the run and I have plans to make the run larger.

I am going to make saddles for all of them today, how long can I leave them on?
Can I make collars to prevent the neck pecking?

I'm getting so frustrated!

Any suggestions, ideas, info?

Thanks all!

 

[rhodeislandred18]

i think it would! gotta protect your chickens!

 

[JenEric Farms]

Do they free range at all...they may be doing it out of complete boredom. If so, try throwing fresh greens in the pen or giving them other treats to peck at, so they won't be as interested in each other. I would try to cover the spots for sure, nothing like bare red spots to get them to want to peck...

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I made saddles out of duct tape for my hens that were being torn up by the roo and now the hen that thinks she is a roo. It has stayed on for over a month now and the feathers are growing out underneath of it.

You or someone holds the bird. Tear of strips of duct tape long enough to cover the area with a bit more of an over hang from side to side. When you press it down, press down where it comes in contact with feathers. It really won't stick well to bare skin especially if you have Bluekot or ointment on it. It will eventually come off when new feathers grow in.

Can't remember where I saw this first.

ETA--- http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/issues/1/1-6/Joyce_Dixon.html

 

[NaturalChick]

They can't free range.

I give them kitchen scraps and treats multiple times a day.

Sometimes one will give a peck to another to get at the treats, even though there is plenty to go around.

But the majority of the pecking is at other times.

 

[FrenchHen]

I got pinless peepers from eggcartons.com to help with pecking. It's seemed to really help.