Hen pecking

[Chescochickens]

Hi all,

I recently took in 6 chickens from a neighbor who was moving. They are all hens and are about 1.5 years old. They’ve grown up together and are the only chickens I have - 3 lavender orpingtons, 2 buff orpingtons, and 1 speckled Sussex. They never free ranged at their prior home but had ample space - at least 20+ sq ft each. When they came to me, 2 had their backs’ pecked - the speckled Sussex and a lavender Orpington. I have tried Blu Kote but the others seem to still be pecking at them. I also just noticed that one of the buff orpingtons who seems to be going through a molt has been pecked around her vent. The run I have them in is 6x16 and their coop is 2x16 with 6 nesting boxes. I would love to get them out free ranging but am afraid I won’t get them back as they still seem skittish around me. Any ideas to stop the pecking and possibly train them to come back when called so I can let them out? I’ve read about chicken aprons but wasn’t sure if they work. Thanks!

 

[sourland]

Do an on site search on Pin Less Peepers they can be used until the hens regrow their feathers and sometimes help in breaking this bad habit.

 

[Chescochickens]

Do an on site search on Pin Less Peepers they can be used until the hens regrow their feathers and sometimes help in breaking this bad habit.

I’ve heard of them but never used them. I know of one bully in the flock but it seems they all are pecking a little. I’ll look up the peepers, thanks!

 

[Jalloway]

Hi all,

I recently took in 6 chickens from a neighbor who was moving. They are all hens and are about 1.5 years old. They’ve grown up together and are the only chickens I have - 3 lavender orpingtons, 2 buff orpingtons, and 1 speckled Sussex. They never free ranged at their prior home but had ample space - at least 20+ sq ft each. When they came to me, 2 had their backs’ pecked - the speckled Sussex and a lavender Orpington. I have tried Blu Kote but the others seem to still be pecking at them. I also just noticed that one of the buff orpingtons who seems to be going through a molt has been pecked around her vent. The run I have them in is 6x16 and their coop is 2x16 with 6 nesting boxes. I would love to get them out free ranging but am afraid I won’t get them back as they still seem skittish around me. Any ideas to stop the pecking and possibly train them to come back when called so I can let them out? I’ve read about chicken aprons but wasn’t sure if they work. Thanks!

To help with pecking, I would suggest some enrichment as well. I use hen healer any time my girls have a wound. It’s a blue paste. To help train them to return to the coop, start feeding same time every evening so they associate the time with feeding and you with the feed. Then when you let them out, bring the food at that time so they follow you down, and continue repeating. Soon they’ll know

 

[Chescochickens]

I haven’t tried Hen Healer but will order some today. I’ve seen it advertised and didn’t realize it was blue. For enrichment, I have a few tables, perches, and pecking blocks in the run as well as a cabbage but the pecking habit seems hard to break without the ability to free range. I love your idea about the feeding time! I’m going to try it! They get excited to see me in the morning with their breakfast so hopefully the food is enough to entice them back when I need them. Thanks!

 

[Jalloway]

I haven’t tried Hen Healer but will order some today. I’ve seen it advertised and didn’t realize it was blue. For enrichment, I have a few tables, perches, and pecking blocks in the run as well as a cabbage but the pecking habit seems hard to break without the ability to free range. I love your idea about the feeding time! I’m going to try it! They get excited to see me in the morning with their breakfast so hopefully the food is enough to entice them back when I need them. Thanks!

I even use it with my quail when they get wounds so they won’t peck more

 

[aart]

their coop is 2x16 with 6 nesting boxes

Is that 2 a typo?
2' feet is awfully restrictive.
Got pics?

 

[Chescochickens]

The coop has a long 16’ roosting bar but I would guess it’s only about 2 feet wide. It sits off the ground in the run. Not sure if this picture helps. I ordered some hen aprons and will try that along with the hen healer. I’m afraid of things getting out of hand as they already seem to have at their prior home. Open to more suggestions!

 

[Chescochickens]

A few more observations: the hen who is getting her vent pecked is going through what appears to be a molt as her feathers are all tattered so I can’t tell if some of the vent feather loss is part of the molt or all pecking. Second, my bully hen likes to peck neck feathers. I’m assuming the only way to stop that is peepers or isolation. Would she be pecking because everyone is starting a molt and it’s part of the process? And lastly, one hen has been sleeping alone at the other end of the coop. Assuming she’s staying away from the bully but could there be another reason? These ladies have all been with me and in their new coop for about 2.5 weeks now so some of this could also be due to the transition. Learning a lot over here!

 

[aart]

The coop has a long 16’ roosting bar but I would guess it’s only about 2 feet wide. It sits off the ground in the run. Not sure if this picture helps. I ordered some hen aprons and will try that along with the hen healer. I’m afraid of things getting out of hand as they already seem to have at their prior home. Open to more suggestions!

Maybe actually measure it?
Run looks pretty nice, what does inside of the coop look like?

What all and how exactly are you feeding?

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