How to stop feather picking?

[sekeyslaks]

Hello all,my chickens are bored stupid being in their pen all the time,they've been getting on each others nerves,picking out each others feathers,and bullying is getting more frequent.How can I stop this behavior?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

The most important thing is space. Increase their space or get rid of birds. Some things to do to help keep boredom at bay include: treats scattered everywhere, dirt, leaves, sand, roosts, stumps, toys, etc.

 

[sekeyslaks]

The space part is an issue I can't make it bigger,I will be renovating a barn for poultry use,but until I start that they have to stay where they are.I can't get rid of my birds either.I Can give them things to grab their attention though! I can't let them to free-range like I normally do because they will eat our vegetable garden.Any more suggestions?

 

[lovinglove]

I have the same problem but it is one of my hens pecking ME ! Can any one help

 

[lovinglove]

Ya I had also that problem I solved the problem by bying a spray at my local farm and I worked have you tried going to a local feed store??

 

[lovinglove]

The spray I had you had to spray on them

 

[sekeyslaks]

If your having problems with a pecking hen,I would "peck" her back,I did that with my Rhode Island Red hen and she's never pecked me again since! and why would I go to a feed store??

 

[SwimDol03]

Me too my hens have pecked their back feathers out too. but not the older ones. just the younger ones. What kind of treats or entertainment can i put in there?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Me too my hens have pecked their back feathers out too. but not the older ones. just the younger ones. What kind of treats or entertainment can i put in there?

Really anything. Greens, seeds, fruit, vegetables, meat scraps, dairy.

 

[simplychic]

I'm still new to this mama hen business, so this weekend was the first time we've gone out of town and left our chickens cooped up in a limited space for an extended period. We had a neighbor caring for them, but she was not comfortable getting them out, and I was sure they'd be fine together. They are used to a lot of time out and about, but they had ample space for the three of them in the coop, under the coop, and in an enclosed "safe" pen. We were gone 4 days, and came home to significant missing tail feathers on two of the three. One even has a bald spot just above her tail on her back. My beautiful little Golden Laced Wyandotte bully still has every feather intact. They have never pecked each other before -- is there a way to stop this behavior? Or is it likely to just stop once our normal routine resumes? Any helpful hints welcomed.