I can't stop them from pecking each other; please help!

[CMV]

Well, after 4 days of Blukote and Vicks VapoRub I have resorted to the pine tar. I just came in from painting all the picked girls with straight pine tar. I caught one of my BOs grazing on 3 girls' backs today despite a fresh coating of Vicks.

I am officially at my wit's end. This is the final straw with mine. If the pine tar doesn't stop the picking then I am culling the offenders. I know who they are, and they are gone by the end of the week if I see one more feather pulled out.


ARGH!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Buh-bye feather picking!!

 

[Newbie in Screamer Al]

This is a tough thing to try and correct. I have an Ameracaune that i added to my flock that was pecked so bad she looked like raw burger. I did all you have done and had the same results. The biggest bully's I had were 2 Wyandottes. All the others would get her occasionally, but the Wyandottes were relentless. She was getting pecked mostly below her tail. Here is what I did. I got one of the chicken aprons that was as close in in color to her. The apron only covers the back above the tail. My bird was bad below her tail. So, we cut a cuff off an old flanel shirt, and safety pinned it to the wing tips of the apron so it wrapped across her butt. Looked funny, but stopped them from re opening the flesh. I kept that on her for almost 3 weeks. When I removed it, they were curious and pecked her a few times. I got so frustrated as you are. I actually sat in the run, and when the Wyandottes pecked her I grabbed them, and started pulling her tail feathers hard to let her know how it felt. After a few times doing that they were cautious to approch the Ameracauna, but still would. I then took a very limp root about 3 ft long, and would chase the Wyandottes with it for about an hour when they went after her. My Roo watched what I was doing,(he loves me), and from then on, when ever the Wyandotte would go after Miss America, he would run them down and peck em till they stopped. He doesnt hurt them, but they now have a bald spot on their back, (no blood at all, just a bald spot), I was just a few days from relocating her, and I am blessed this solved my problem. Miss America is now laying, and hanging out with the flock. My Wyandottes are being good now for 3-4 weeks. All I can say is I feel you pain, and wish you the best, Hope you find a solution......... All the best...R

 

[axion_lotus]

Well, I added a protein feed supplement along with their regular feed, and it's worked great. Willow has grown all her feathers back, and now no one has the 'feather cravings.' Willow is still the bottom girl, but now when they pick at her, they do so with their beak closed, and they don't peck as hard, so no feathers come out. She's also gotten very good at running away and hiding under my chair.

I've checked her over every day and I am happy to say that she has had no more wounds or bald spots. I am so happy that she's doing better. For now, all is right with the flock.

Newbie in Screamer and CMV, I hope you and your birds find an effective solution also.

 

[juliawitt]

Poor Willow chicken. Sorry you are having such problems. I would go ahead and get the pine tar. I would also switch to game bird feed for awhile. It has alot more protein than general layer feed. Chickens are so much fun, but it can be a real downer when you have problems. I have used Blu-kot with success-I used the spray blukot. Easier to apply, but I had to apply it everyday. The pine tar is harder to work with....it is sticky and globby and I had to apply it with a wooden stick....but it stays longer and it stopped the problem immediately. Good luck!!!

 

[7L Farm]

I have this problem big time my chickens look like the have been in a war. I have a can of pine tar. My question is can you still eat the eggs after applying the pine tar ?

 

[cubalaya]

this is what worked for me: i took the hen that was being pecked and sprayed her with bluecote, i put her in a seperate cage in the same run with the other hens. she stayed in it for a week with the other hens seeing her and then sprayed her again with bluecote and let them all out to freerange. this time the rooster kept the hens in line and the picking stopped.

 

[Mrs. K]

I had an old chicken lady tell me that if you had some meat spoil, be sure and give it to the chickens, and that not often, but if she had feather pickers, she would put in a skinned carcase of a varmint in the run. She had about a 100 head flock. She said feather picking is a sign on needed protien and salt.

MrsK

 

[galanie]

Newbie in Screamer Al, :

This is a tough thing to try and correct. I have an Ameracaune that i added to my flock that was pecked so bad she looked like raw burger. I did all you have done and had the same results. The biggest bully's I had were 2 Wyandottes. All the others would get her occasionally, but the Wyandottes were relentless. She was getting pecked mostly below her tail. Here is what I did. I got one of the chicken aprons that was as close in in color to her. The apron only covers the back above the tail. My bird was bad below her tail. So, we cut a cuff off an old flanel shirt, and safety pinned it to the wing tips of the apron so it wrapped across her butt. Looked funny, but stopped them from re opening the flesh. I kept that on her for almost 3 weeks. When I removed it, they were curious and pecked her a few times. I got so frustrated as you are. I actually sat in the run, and when the Wyandottes pecked her I grabbed them, and started pulling her tail feathers hard to let her know how it felt. After a few times doing that they were cautious to approch the Ameracauna, but still would. I then took a very limp root about 3 ft long, and would chase the Wyandottes with it for about an hour when they went after her. My Roo watched what I was doing,(he loves me), and from then on, when ever the Wyandotte would go after Miss America, he would run them down and peck em till they stopped. He doesnt hurt them, but they now have a bald spot on their back, (no blood at all, just a bald spot), I was just a few days from relocating her, and I am blessed this solved my problem. Miss America is now laying, and hanging out with the flock. My Wyandottes are being good now for 3-4 weeks. All I can say is I feel you pain, and wish you the best, Hope you find a solution......... All the best...R

I love your roo!​

 

[maggiemooscluckers]

Quote:
I have a you-tube video that shows the peepers in action. Go to you-tube and type in Maggiemoo's Little Acre: Episode 5 in the search bar.