Hen pecking.

[mommytoella]

We have six 15 month old hens. Over the past couple of weeks we've noticed a hen that seemed to be pecked at..missing neck and lower back feathers. Now it looks like she's getting all of them and that original hen is far worse than the others. I've been watching her in the run over the past cpl of days to make sure that's the issue and she just picks on them for no reason, plucking at their backs an necks. They have 60 sq ft in the run and we let them free range for a couple hrs a day.

Is this just pecking order? Although, why did it just start now? Could it be a protein problem? They get unlimited organic layer feed and kitchen scraps. I'm thinking I have to separate her, right? We have a large dog crate. Should I just stick her in there? Do I keep it in the run or remove her fully? And for how long?

Thanks!!

 

[sourland]

Sometimes feather plucking/eating becomes a bad habit. Do a forum search on 'Pinless Peepers'. These can be used to stop the problem, and sometimes they can later be removed and the hen will behave.