Hen Pecked!! And Not Liking It!!

[WitksChicks]

I have 6 hens (2 RIR, 2 SLW, and 2 BSL). One of the RIR's is getting pecked by mostly 1 of the BSL's. At first signs of the pecking we applied bag balm. That seemed to work for a couple of days, we separated the hen that was getting abused, but only via a screen. After a day we rejoined them. It seemed fine for a little while, then the same Black Star started pecking at her again (same place, base of the talefeathers, where they meet her back). So we applied Blu-Kote and then separated by a screen only the offending hen. Every night at dusk we would release the separated hen so she could go to roost with the other 5. This went on for a couple of days. All seemed well, and now after a couple of good days. The Black Star is back to her bad behavior. We give them treats (vegetables in a hanging suet cage to amuse them), but it doesn't seem to be helping in detering this pecking of this one Black Star on this one RIR.

We have a 5 day planned vacation and are leaving them in the care of a neighbor in about 13 days and I can't bare the thought that this is happening and my husband thinks we should cull the RIR if it doesn't stop.

HELP!!! A quick sure-fire resolution is desparately needed.

 

[theFox]

You culling the RIR will only allow the real culprit the BSL to pick another victim, this will repeat.

Separate the BSL for several days, do not allow her to even be within sight of the others, a complete cut off, no buddy bird, no back in the coop at night. Then when you put her back with the rest she'll be the intruder and they will keep her really busy watching her hind end.

Make certain your chickens are getting enough protein (the feed makers generally have several grades of layer feed). Remove all treats that have a lower protein level than their regular feed. Supplement their feed with cat kibbles as a treat not canned cat food whenever you get the urge to give them some scratch or a treat lower in protein than their regular food. Remember it is a treat not an everyday thing.

Check all of your birds for signs of wounds and get that taken care of, if you have one trouble maker you likely have more than one that was picked upon.

Locate some pin less peepers and apply to the trouble maker.

If you are using lights, lower their intensity or change them to red.

This is called using the shotgun approach, if any one gets culled it should be the trouble maker the BSL not the picked upon RIR.

Good luck.

 

[hen-thusiast]

theFox gave you excellent advice.

I would not cull the one being pecked on, that will not solve your problem. I would follow all that advice, if you are looking for a quick answer before your vacation, try the pinless peepers and when you get back try the other advice.

Here's a link to some:
http://www.randallBurkey.com/Blinders-Debeakers/products/78/

 

[WitksChicks]

Quote:
Thank you both for your advise. Short term, the pin-less peepers may be the way we need to go until we get back. However, being a newbie to chicken raising, how do these get applied? Can you provide a description on how to attach to the hen? Are any of the three in the link easier to apply that the others?

 

[WitksChicks]

In response to theFox's excellent suggestions and knowledgeable assistance, we feed them layer pellets, the vegetable treats are only every 3rd day or so, usually consisting of lettuce leaves, carrot shavings. We do provide them scratch every 2nd day or so, but purely as a treat, perhaps 1 cup or 1.5 cup for all 6 hens to have. Their layer pellets are Blue Seal brand and are available to them 24 x 7. They also have oyster shell available 24 x 7.

Back to questions regarding the pin-less peepers. . . will the hen that they are applied to be at a disadvantage with them on, meaning will she now be pecked upon? Will she be ok to find her way into the coop and food? Are drinking and eating doable? How long will we have to keep these on her? Can you tell I'm new at chicken raising. . . so many questions!!!

 

[hen-thusiast]

Quote:
I have no idea, I've never had to use them. I know that other places sell them as well, not just that company.

I'd either recommend changing the title of this thread to something like "Need advice on pinless peepers" (you can do that by editing your first post and changing the title) or maybe try a search on here to see if others have posted about them. I do know that others on here have used them and they say that they do work.

 

[hen-thusiast]

Here's some links from BYC:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=1768337
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=283909
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=239410

Good luck! I hope both the short and long term suggestions work!

 

[theFox]

Sorry, been away for a bit.

You should get instructions on applying the peepers with the peepers.

I haven't had reason to need any yet, just happened to know about them and they are quick and since you were looking for suggestions I just unloaded a number of things that are quick and inexpensive to try.

Please, do not cull the victim. I've seen people do that and regret it later. Try to resolve the cause, frequently you get to keep your chickens that way. I didn't ask about space per bird in the coop or run figured you wouldn't have time to correct that before leaving. You need space for the birds and a minimum if they need to stay indoors for prolonged times is 4 square feet of floor space per bird. Note this is floor space of four square feet and doesn't include the droppings area under the roosts, nest boxes, feed area or water area.

All sex linked or production egg layers need a good steady protein level, they were our first to lay and they rarely miss a day, and have been known to periodically short cycle laying two eggs in one day.

 

[fiberart57]

Another thing you might try is to remove the bully for a couple of days. This sometimes takes them down a notch and they'll behave afterwards.

theFox is correct in suggesting a look at their protein levels, pecking problems often originate from protein lack. I've found that they need more in the winter because there's no bugs for them.

Good luck, Mary

 

[theFox]

Quote:
Now that I've got a bit of time.

The Blue Seal Layer Pellets (I stopped using these back in October because of the lack of bugs, replaced it with Egg Maker Crumbles and reduced treats to twice a week and to 4 ounces of scratch for 14 birds) have a protein level of 16% which is barely enough if they receive only the layer pellets. You should not feed any scratch at all unless you balance it with something much higher in protein like cat kibbles or meal worms. I now have stopped all scratch and give the birds cat kibbles twice a week.

You should see if your feed store has a higher protein layer feed pellet. If they don't switch to a higher protein layer crumble (pay attention to the information on peepers below), Blue Seal has one called Egg Maker it is a 17% protein level feed and the crumbles provides another benefit it takes the birds longer to eat and therefor keeps them busy longer so they don't get into mischief.

If you wish to give scratch it should be a lot less than you are giving two teaspoons per bird is enough. What you need to do is balance out the protein levels. I understand your desire to provide your feathered friends with treats, I really do, it is just that the treats chosen should take into account what they need. Low protein treats force the birds to do something to balance their diet and they do, they scavenge protein and since there are very few bugs during the winter the next best thing is feathers, after that comes their flock mates. Yes that is correct, they can and will do what they must to get the protein their body requires, their buddy today is snacks for a while. Once it gets to this point others in your flock will join in as red blood will eventually be drawn.

The peepers do not interfere with getting around. Depending upon the type they may only allow the birds to eat pellets so pay attention to what the instructions say. Some prevent focusing well enough to cause injury to other birds and others prevent the bird from being able to completely close its beak. They do not interfere with drinking. They have been around for a very long time and are an alternative to debeaking and beak filing.

The pinless ones are removable so it is possible that once the other issues are taken care of you can remove the peeper from your BSL.