INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Faraday40]

I've had a few feather eaters before, and had to cull. Nothing I tried worked, and on one occasion another bird was starting to learn that behavior! I hope you can come up with a solution better than I could.

Isn't there a topical spray for this - something like "pick no more"? I think it' something like Bitter Apple but for birds. I don't have much experience with this, but I did have an issue when the flock was bored. I had to keep them locked up last April die to a persistent fox. Once they could free range again, the issue disappeared.

 

[pginsber]

Last summer, I was driving to work and saw a strange patch of 'black' near the sidewalk.

I pulled over and found a weak, bone-thin pet rabbit. Clearly someone either abandoned him, or he escaped. We put notifications of finding him in the local electronic boards, lost and found, etc. No one ever claimed him.

Public service announcement: Pets are not wild animals and with few exceptions they should not be released into the wild because one tires of them or can't care for them. Most will die.

We took him to the vet, treated his maladies, fed him well and loved him. Now, he's in great shape. The vet estimates him to be 3-4 years old and he weighs about 6 pounds. DW spoils all creatures, including stray ones I bring home. He has a very nice indoor two-story rabbit hutch, and gets varied fruit and veggies every day.

The thing is, we don't want a pet rabbit. We're semi-retired and travel frequently. This guy likes to play, hop around, explore, and get petted.

Does anyone here have an interest in adopting this black rabbit? He's scheduled for neuter, then he'll be ready to find his forever not-for-eating home.

PM me with any interest.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@pginsber
My daughter had the same thing happen. A friend of hers found an abandoned pet rabbit and took it in. My daughter adopted it and still has him. He's a house rabbit with a litter box. He has the run of most of their main floor.

He was in terrible, skinny condition when they found him and now he's the picture of health.

 

[Nyla]

Got new pictures of Stella today! I just love her rich coat collar!

 

[pginsber]

@pginsber
My daughter had the same thing happen. A friend of hers found an abandoned pet rabbit and took it in. My daughter adopted it and still has him. He's a house rabbit with a litter box. He has the run of most of their main floor.

He was in terrible, skinny condition when they found him and now he's the picture of health.

Bless her! I've had other friends that had house rabbits and used the litter box. We have house dogs who think that would be an excellent idea!
(I'm joking of course. They're hound mixes and have an incredible prey drive)

 

[weezerfish]

Isn't there a topical spray for this - something like "pick no more"? I think it' something like Bitter Apple but for birds. I don't have much experience with this, but I did have an issue when the flock was bored. I had to keep them locked up last April die to a persistent fox. Once they could free range again, the issue disappeared.

That was my initial thought as well. Then I saw on another thread where two people said that neither no-pick or blu-kote had any effect on the picking behavior. I've got some blu-kote left over here from a comb injury. I will give it a shot just in case along with some scrambled eggs. Think I'm going to try to separate her for a few days and then reintroduce her.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

@jchny2000 They were the Underwood line. She is 3 years old here. I like the brick shape body style, among other traits. They remind me of pictures I've seen of the Dark Cornish, which as I've read, are part of what makes up the RIR breed.
She's not SOP standard.
View attachment 1699006

She is a beauty tho! I don't remember the line I had. A friend divorced and gave some of hers to me. The roosters were very gentle and just massive. I think the woman the line came from was well known for her line.

Isn't there a topical spray for this - something like "pick no more"? I think it' something like Bitter Apple but for birds. I don't have much experience with this, but I did have an issue when the flock was bored. I had to keep them locked up last April die to a persistent fox. Once they could free range again, the issue disappeared.

I was going to suggest blukote too.

Last summer, I was driving to work and saw a strange patch of 'black' near the sidewalk.

I pulled over and found a weak, bone-thin pet rabbit. Clearly someone either abandoned him, or he escaped. We put notifications of finding him in the local electronic boards, lost and found, etc. No one ever claimed him.
View attachment 1699159

Public service announcement: Pets are not wild animals and with few exceptions they should not be released into the wild because one tires of them or can't care for them. Most will die.

We took him to the vet, treated his maladies, fed him well and loved him. Now, he's in great shape. The vet estimates him to be 3-4 years old and he weighs about 6 pounds. DW spoils all creatures, including stray ones I bring home. He has a very nice indoor two-story rabbit hutch, and gets varied fruit and veggies every day.

The thing is, we don't want a pet rabbit. We're semi-retired and travel frequently. This guy likes to play, hop around, explore, and get petted.

Does anyone here have an interest in adopting this black rabbit? He's scheduled for neuter, then he'll be ready to find his forever not-for-eating home.

PM me with any interest.

AGREED! Huge pet peeve for me. No one should ever dump an unwanted pet, especially a domesticated animal. They are a living being. I cringe at how many abandoned cats we see here every year, and a few dogs. More recently have had some ducks show up, and several roosters. Be responsible if you don't, won't or can't keep that pet reach out. Find a humane society or rescue to take them.
I will ask every one I know about your abandoned little fella needing a family. I hope he finds a forever home.

 

[oldrooster]

Find a humane society or rescue to take them.

That may be hard to do on short notice. the humane society in Bloomington/Monroe county WILL NOT accept chickens or any other "farm animals". I asked because I figured I might be able to get some chickens (or more likely roosters) since Bloomington does allow chickens but not roos in the city limits with certain conditions. And it sounded like they were not interested in taking names for re-homing services. I never said anything to them but I thought it might be nice to get 2 or 3 gens for a few fresh eggs for cheap or free and maybe a nice tame rooster for breeding stock and then freezer camp for any other roos, I wasn't going to be hogish if there was some who wanted to raise them I would only take a few hens for my egg needs, but knowing how many times shelters can't find homes for animals I thought it would help them and me both. Plus they won't take feral cats. many animal shelters take them and give them away or at a steep discount for those who want a mouser in the barn/garage.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

That may be hard to do on short notice. the humane society in Bloomington/Monroe county WILL NOT accept chickens or any other "farm animals". I asked because I figured I might be able to get some chickens (or more likely roosters) since Bloomington does allow chickens but not roos in the city limits with certain conditions. And it sounded like they were not interested in taking names for re-homing services. I never said anything to them but I thought it might be nice to get 2 or 3 gens for a few fresh eggs for cheap or free and maybe a nice tame rooster for breeding stock and then freezer camp for any other roos, I wasn't going to be hogish if there was some who wanted to raise them I would only take a few hens for my egg needs, but knowing how many times shelters can't find homes for animals I thought it would help them and me both. Plus they won't take feral cats. many animal shelters take them and give them away or at a steep discount for those who want a mouser in the barn/garage.

I spay or neuter any domestic pets here. It is hard, Madison county won't pick up stray animals anymore. My point is, don't take an animal in and abandon it. Don't dump it and it become some one else's responsibility at best, usually it dies.. Agreed, many government based animal control won't help. Be mature enough to ensure that animals home. Its a living being have respect for its outcome.

 

[AvengingTurnip]

That was my initial thought as well. Then I saw on another thread where two people said that neither no-pick or blu-kote had any effect on the picking behavior. I've got some blu-kote left over here from a comb injury. I will give it a shot just in case along with some scrambled eggs. Think I'm going to try to separate her for a few days and then reintroduce her.

Research peepers. I had to peeper a few couple of weeks ago. Someone was feather picking. The plan is to remove the peepers one by one until I figure out who it is. That chicken will remain peepered for months or maybe for life. Better than culling in my book. The peepers are super cheap. It did take two people to get them on and by the next morning the hens were all business as usual and ok with them.