Hen-pecked in the head - what to do? - pics (not gross)

[DDRanch]

Quote:
Yes, that is it, looks like under a different name.....and cheaper than what I paid for at my feed store.
Anne

 

[jarzmom]

So, where do I find chicken "glasses" anyway?!?

 

[jette]

thank you for this suggestion. we have 3 americana's and 1 polish crested black bantam who is getting pecked. When purchased last week, they gave the bantam to us for free. I later found out it is because she was getting beaten up (pecked) by the other bantams.

I have heard a zillion things in the past work (researching aggressively) and am confused as a new owner.

Before putting the "Peck No More" on her head, should I clean it up with hydrogren pyroxide?

Also, I thought it would be much cleaner to cut her head feathers short until this is cleared up.

What is a sign that this is NOT going to work EVER? In other words, I do not want to keep her if the other chickens are going to make her life miserable, but I already fell in love with her??? help

Jette

 

[Julie924]

Hi there -

I also have a hen that is getting pecked on her head. Quite badly in fact. The whole top of her head is a scabby mess and her comb has scabs on it too. It started out that she had a lame foot and couldn't walk for a while. So I secluded her from the others in a dog kennel because she couldn't get to the food and water and the chickens were picking on her then. When her foot got better I put her back in with the other chickens. They started attacking her like she was a new chicken in the coop. (I guess they are pretty forgetful!) She would hide face-in behind the waterer all day so she wouldn't get pecked. Poor girl!! She used to be at the top of the pecking order and apparently is now at the bottom since her little vacation. I have noticed that its practically all of the hens AND the rooster picking on her. So I'm assuming it was a pecking order thing at first but now I think it's a combination of she is weakened and the seeing, tasting blood thing. But her head was so raw that I decided to pen off part of the coop with tall chicken wire so that they can see her, but she can eat, sleep and lay in normal fashion while she heals. I did this with the chicks I raised so when they were big enough to be with the other hens, they were already used to them being in the coop. I'm hoping this works for Dottie in the same fashion. Good luck to you and Liz. I hope you figure something out.

 

[zhockeymom]

I have the same problem - I have one girl who is top of the pecking order and one who is definitely the bottom. They all pick on her. I have separated them - same coop so they can see each other but separate (for good) so they can't peck her to death... I have put straight tea tree oil on her head, the other hens don't like the smell or the texture. I have also purchased Pinless Peepers, Peck No More and Blu Kote (but they haven't arrived yet.) The tea tree oil seems to be working so far! I belong to a shopping company called Melaleuca (tea tree oil is from the Melaleuca Aterfolia tree) or you can buy it at places like Whole Foods. There are different strengths of tea tree oil though. Good luck - our girls are treated like pets so I totally get feeling helpless when they're getting picked on!

 

[Blanchard543]

Interesting to hear about the nutritional aspect of it. We have 25 PBR from 2 different age groups 1 yr apart. We are experiencing the same head pecking problem?
So going to give this feeding them a little meat idea a try. We're from Ontario Canada and winters are long and cold, so i was attributing it to boredom?
Seems like almost all the butts are pecked down the flesh and now we are experiencing the head pecking? I know its not from not enough feed because we double their feeding when winter hits.
Ill try giving them a little hamburg and see what the results are.

Thanks for the good advice & forum, much appreciated.

The Blanchard Farm