Is it possible to keep Polish with other chickens?

[Mamaperreca]

I am so aggravated. I got a new Polish. I put him in with the other 3 I have (1 maran, 1 EE and 1 other Polish). They are all the same age about 8-9 weeks, same size more or less, etc.. I expected the regular pecking order stuff. He quickly found a space in the coop he could hide from the others. I went out this morning and all was good. He hadn't been pecked. Then this evening I go out and his head is pecked. BUT the worst is my poor Polish girl is practically bald in the course of one day! I am so ticked. She finally just grew her feathers back from two weeks ago when they pecked her.

I gave them some liver. It worked for curbing the pecking last time. i hoped I had seen the last of it, but apparently not. I am 90% sure its my Maran chick doing it.

Any good advice?

So is it even possible to have Polish in with non-Polish birds. My poor Foofy looks terrible.

 

[PriceFamilyFarms]

I have 2 silver laced polish and none of my others pick on them...the polish are about 3 weeks younger than the rest of my flock

 

[muell112]

I keep my 3 polish roosters with a variety of hens (cochins, welsummer, easter egger, buttercup, salmon faverolles, NJ giants...). I've had them all just over a year - 2 of the roosters have big bald spots on their heads since very early on, and the other has no tail. I was worried at first but after trying many things just gave up. They seem fine, just a little ratty looking. They do not seem to mind being "abused" by the hens - I see the hens grooming their bald spots and the roosters just hang their heads down, seemingly enjoying it. I did notice if I leave the light on after they go to roost they get picked on more. So I don't ever turn it on and they just go with whatever daylight they have naturally. Good luck!

 

[hipeatall]

I have some bantam Frizzle Polish chicks that I hatched out over the weekend... so I'd be interested in knowing this as well. I had planned on putting them in with my bantam Naked Neck chicks in a few months. eek!
I have some Rooster Booster Pick-No-More Lotion... I have one hen that was getting picked on and it worked really well... it has a pretty intense tea tree oil smell... oh, and it will temporarily dye feathers (and fingers!) a purple blue color.

 

[gaillardia]

My cochin was 2 weeks older than my other chicks and they pecked at her until she was raw. I used the Rooster Booster and it worked well. I was holding the chick with one hand, so I opened the cap with my teeth and got a little on my lip. It felt like pepper juice, but I imagine the discomfort is better than having all of your feathers picked out. It did take a few applications, but she healed an the flock gets along well now.

 

[goldnchocolate]

I use Grannick's Bitter Apple to keep puppies from chewing on furniture, I wonder if that would work if you sprayed some on your hands and just rubbed it on the head feathers that are getting picked. I wouldn't put it on any other feathers because it would taste bad when they try to groom themselves.

 

[Mamaperreca]

Well they look better this morning. Didn't get picked on last night. I went out and put some Tea Tree Oil on the other feathers in their top hats, to hopefully deter pecking with both smell and taste. I didn't actually put it on the wounds cause that stuff can burn. I don't think they will peck the wound today. The red is gone and it just looks like regular skin.

We will see. I have some purple hair dye that I might rub on there if I get desperate.

 

[wanderseek]

You can also try axle grease. It works instantly. The stink of it keeps the others from pecking. Just rub a glob of it on the wounded area and no more pecking! You may have to reapply now and then, but it really does help with pecking problems.

 

[Rennie]

A few good tips there to curb the pecking ..I might try some of those myself

One of my bantam wyandottes is really being bullied




What does the liver do ??

 

[chickenman98]

polish always seem to be on the bottom of the pecking order. I have had mine for nearly six months now and she still gets pecked/picked on