How much hen pecking is normal?

[PartyPlanningCommittee]

Hello! New to backyard chicken keeping. We have 4 ladies: RIR, Wyandotte, Buff Orpington and something that looks just like a cream legbar but lays light brown eggs

The RIR, BO and mystery bird came to us pretty scraggly from what we suspect was an overenthusiastic young rooster. So they have pretty bad bare spots on their backs and the main wing feathers are feather-less.

I noticed a couple days ago that mystery bird was bleeding a little on her back and I panicked after reading about cannibalism. I sprayed Blu-Kote on the bare patches which seems to have helped a little.

ANYWAY, after watching them for a while today, it seems the Wyandotte (the oldest of the flock) is the main culprit. She grabs at their neck feathers if they get too close to treats and won’t let go. But also the BO I’ve seen pecking the backs of the RIR and mystery bird. It doesn’t seem obsessive, but how can you know when it crosses the line? How much pecking is normal say in a 10 minute timeframe? When you’re watching your flock, is there always back pecking?

 

[sourland]

No, that much feather pecking/plucking is not normal. It can be a result of protein deficiency, but in my experience has been caused by over crowding and boredom. Do an on site search of 'Pin Less Peepers' they can be used to stop the bad habit. Frequently they can be successfully removed after the birds have regrown feathers.

 

[PartyPlanningCommittee]

No, that much feather pecking/plucking is not normal. It can be a result of protein deficiency, but in my experience has been caused by over crowding and boredom. Do an on site search of 'Pin Less Peepers' they can be used to stop the bad habit. Frequently they can be successfully removed after the birds have regrown feathers.

I’ve seen those in my googling! Will place an order. I don’t *think* they’re bored (although I’m new to this). And definitely not overcrowded - their coop is about 8x8 with a tall ceiling, and their run is about 20x20. They free range outside of the run for like an hour a day. Food is layer pellets, mealworms BOSS and crickets for treats, and our veggie scraps. Could it be they’re still figuring out their pecking order? We got them 2 weeks ago from a friend’s flock of 30 birds

 

[sourland]

It's generally not a pecking order thing. More likely a bad habit picked up at their prior home.

 

[PartyPlanningCommittee]

It's generally not a pecking order thing. More likely a bad habit picked up at their prior home.

It did seem a little chaotic at their old digs. Hopefully they’ll realize they have it made here! But if not I’ll give those funny goggles a try.