Integrating Flock with Known Pecker

BrooklandBarn

Hatching
Oct 12, 2017
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First post here! We have chickens in our urban Brooklyn yard. After a bad racoon loss last year, we were left with 2 girls, now 18 months. They're both great layers (Austrolorp and Rhode Island Red) and feel like our pets.

Problem is, the Rhode Island Red pecks the other bird pretty badly. This has been going on for about 6 months. She only pecks the other bird's neck, and a bit of the head, and eats the feathers. The pecked hen doesn't bleed, and it doesn't seem to get worse or better. But she looks like a turkey vulture. We've tried everything - ointments, treats, blinders, protein uptake - but nothing has worked.

We recently raised 6 chicks, who are now 12 weeks. They're happy and living in a separate coop/run from the other girls. We plan to integrate the flocks once the chicks are bigger and less flighty, so pretty soon, and get rid of the old coop. The birds all have a lot of exposure, as the hens free range all day outside of the babies' coop and interact through the wire.

When we integrate, should we expect changes in the pecking due to a new pecking order? That is, could it resolve on its own? Will the babies peck the pecked hen, since she is red and exposed? Will the pecking hen peck the new girls? If we need to get rid of one of the older hens, which one should we choose?

We're considering building a third temporary coop, to keep the pecked hen in so that she can heal completely. We'd then integrate once her feathers are back in hopes that the other birds won't peck. Would that work?

Thanks for any advice you have. We love our birds and would like to keep them all peacefully in one coop if possible!!
 
Having feather pickers in my own flock, I can tell you there are few permanent resolutions other than the ultimate one - eliminating the picker.

First, you could be painting Blu-kote on the red exposed skin and it will deter the chicks from noticing it and being tempted to pick.

Second, if you isolate anyone, it should be the picker. In fact, that's the best solution this side of culling.
 
Welcome to BYC...sorry you've got pecker problems.<snickers>
Sorry, hope you have a sense of humor.

We're considering building a third temporary coop, to keep the pecked hen in so that she can heal completely. We'd then integrate once her feathers are back in hopes that the other birds won't peck. Would that work?
Chances are the older bird will be lording it over the youngsters and you needn't do anything about letting the pecked bird 'heal'. If there's no wound, there's nothing to 'heal'. The feather swill grow back soon, if they've been fully plucked, or will when she molts which should be soon.

I agree with the others, get rid of the pecker, life's too short to have a bully bird in a small flock. Hopefully you have a flock 'subtraction' plan. You might try isolating the pecker for 2-3 weeks while you integrate the other birds. Hopefully your main coop and run is large enough so crowding won't make this terrible habit rear it's ugly head again.

Lots of different options here. Knowing your goals for keeping birds and seeing your coops/runs(pics and dimensions) might help someone offer other ideas.


I have a fabulous recipe for Pecker Pie if you're interested :)
BRAHAhahaha!!!
 
I have a RIR & Australorp as well. RIR have a reputation for being a bit agressive with other hens. IMO, I would exhaust all efforts before gettign rid of her. I have heard that putting the bully in isolation for several days (at the least) sometimes squelches bad behavior. If she's picking on her coopmate now, keep her out until newbies are integrated and that pecking order is established - this is assuming you are integrating them at 16-ish weeks, or fully grown. They have to be the same size to defend themselves.
 

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