I think I found a miracle cure for feather picking

[azygous]

I figured that you had a ninety percent chance of this all working out. With the first two having made a solid bond, and now accepting this third, your chances are extremely good of Meridith adjusting well when introduced to the "new improved" flock.

There was a small chance that some unforeseen behavior problem would be triggered by all this, but I think you're past the danger of that happening. This time away from the flock really isn't all that traumatic for Meridith. Tell her it's a vacation, and she'll be well rested when it's over. There's a good chance she may have a personality change after this and end up a much calmer girl.

 

[Maurice11]

luckily I am able to separate the hens that are being picked on - the white crested polish hens. I have one silver laced polish, with a black crested top hat if you will, whose tail feathers are white, and I have her in with the rest of the flock,, and her tail feathers are being plucked.. guess the girls are jealous, and don't want to deal with white feathers. Otherwise they are fine. Hate the 'pecking order', but so be it.

 

[pegm]

Update:

Goldie, Grace and their new coop mate (BO) are doing fine together..peace reigneth. Meredith was so calm I decided to see what would happen. Within a few minutes she calmly walked over to Goldie and plucked out a rear end feather and ate it, leaving her bloody. She is not attacking her just calmly walks over and plucks a feather out. Grabbed her up and put her back into the "vacation quarters" but not before she and the BO got into a chest bumping claws extended confrontation. It really surprised me the orphington gave as good as she got. Not sure who won, but Meredith kinda had her head down and tail up when I grabbed her after seeing the blood on Goldie. Cleaned Goldie up and put Vicks on her butt, and the others have no interest in her hindquarters at all. This happened Friday am. I may give it another try in a couple of weeks, and see if she keeps going after Goldie's butt, if she does, one of them has to go. Meredith is my best layer, Goldie is good also but not as consistent as Mer. The others are not laying yet, don't know if they will until spring. Don't know if they can start up over the winter months. The BO seems to be moulting, lots of her feathers around. Do not know if this is good or bad, none of my others are molting. Did someone on these boards say if they moult in their first winter they will not be good layers? Anyway, progress is being made on the new coop I am building (my husband calls it the castle) trying to get it finished and installed this week. I have to admit, if we have an earthquake, it will be a good place to be.

 

[azygous]

Have you thought of trying pinless peepers on Meredith? I can drop a couple of them in the mail if you PM me your mailing address.

That may be all you need to interrupt this bad habit. Like my veteran feather picker Flo, she's fine as long as she wears her peepers, but as soon as I remove them, something awakes in her devious brain and she's zeroing in on feathers again. It stops as soon as the peepers go back on.

 

[pegm]

Going to our local ag supply this am, will look for the peepers there. If they don't have them, I will pm you. Thank you so much for the offer.

 

[azygous]

Unless you have someone around with strong fingers, you'll need snap-ring pliers to install the peepers. Get them at any hardware store.

 

[carajane612]

Hi azygous!

I know you have already received many thanks for this thread but I just wanted to send one more your way. I've spent the last hour reading this thread & have found it very informative! I cried like a baby the first time I saw the damage feather picking can do.

We are only allowed to have 4 chickens in the city we live in & I was so proud of the way my girls looked "once upon a time" Our neighbors often bring their friends & family over to see our girls & its heartbreaking when they ask why they have jackets on or why their skin is stained blue.

Today I ordered Forco... I know it hasn't been proven to curb feather picking but I do care about the overall health of my chickens & am willing to try anything! I also have another motive for Forco & that is my special needs chicken... Amy. We believe (until proven otherwise) she suffered a heat stroke this summer & has been paralyzed ever since. She has made leaps & bounds of progress but if Forco does help with overall health I am hoping it will help with her healing process as well!

You are a true saint for your endless perseverance & dedication to our feathered friends. Thank you!

 

[azygous]

Carajane, the kudos are much appreciated! I'm proud of the way this thread has endured and the enthusiasm and willingness of people to add their experiences, helping to pack it full of useful information. This is the real miracle of the internet - being able to share knowledge like this instead if each of us having to reinvent the wheel.

The good thing about fall molt is that our feather-eaten chickens get to shed their frowzy look for a whole new outfit. They look their very best around January, then it's downhill again from there. It breaks my heart, too, to see those beautiful feathers start getting chewed away all too quickly. I wish there was some miracle cure that would stop this dreaded habit in its tracks. If we ever do stumble onto a cure, you'll be sure to read about it on this thread!

 

[pegm]

Another update:

Well, Goldie, Grace and the BO (who is moulting heavily right now) have been together for a week, and all seems fine. They don't pick on Goldie at all. Meredith has been "on vacation" for a week, should I re-introduce her after the peepers are put on her, or should I try it now? I'm inclined to wait, the new coop is going in tomorrow

so tomorrow night will be different for them as it is bigger. Meredith has not been so upset about the separation that she quit laying eggs, I think she has only skipped one day so far in the last week. Kinda wish I could install her in the old coop, but I really don't have the room for 2 permanent coops/runs.

Started my FF 2 days ago, nothing yet, just smells like wet feed. can't even smell the ACV. I put it out in the sun all day today, maybe that will start something.

 

[azygous]

Follow your instincts, Peg. They won't let you down.

You're right in thinking it would be better to wait until you get the peepers for Meredith before introducing her to the new flock. Too much change for a chicken is just too upsetting. Best to avoid the unnecessary.

I'm pleased to hear the three are continuing to be compatible. And I doubt Meredith sees her isolation as punishment, but more of a vacation. Time-outs are good for problem chickens. Sometimes it permits their brains to rewire.