Now What?

[CMV]

Sorry 7L Farm. We were going through the same thing last winter, I recall.

I solved my feather picking problem by culling out half my flock after I nearly threw in the towel on the whole flock. When I got my last group of pullets it was obvious from the start that they were really aggressive, but I called them "adventurous" and thought it would make them a sturdier, tougher flock. All it led to was a lot of stress on everyone, and mostly bald chickens. I could never figure out why my birds were doing what they were doing. I eventually chalked it up to too much aggression. I've never had picking issues before or since I culled out most of that lot. I can't say I'm sorry I had to remove my most productive birds, especially when within 2 days of culling I had new feather growth on 3 of my barest hens. It was a time consuming process figuring out which birds were doing the damage, but I had a lot of time on a ladder painting the exterior of my house this past summer, so I was able to pinpoint them all. I let the lowest ranking feather picker stay, but only because she got the stuffing beaten out of her repeatedly once she started picking at birds on her own. She has since stopped picking and is the lowest ranking hen in the house. Serves her right!

I know you don't want to cull your flock, but there comes a time when you must concede defeat. I know how hard it is, believe me! Once you have dealt with this problem it is so nice to have beautiful birds again. I loved watching my scraggly flock turn back into the beauties I knew they were. I will also never tolerate feather picking again. I spent a fortune in feed, treats, toys, contraptions, gels/goo/ointments to try to stop the problem (space was never an issue in my case), but none of it worked. Last winter taught me that there are certain things you cannot change. In the future I will target the offenders and remove them from the flock immediately. No reprieves... no "I can fix this if I figure out the cause"... immediate culling will be the response to feather picking.

I hope you solve this issue in your flock. Good luck.

 

[7L Farm]

Quote:
I know!! I know!! For some reason I can't kill them. I want to win the battle against feather picking. There's got to be a way. I've been at this for well over a year now. I do have their offspring in a separate coop & their gorgeous birds. So, I know its not hereditary. I'm not scared to kill animals my house looks like a zoo inside mounts everywhere. Mater of fact I'm having a deer mounted as we speak. I've got this new plan but its a pain & alot of work. Time will tell. I'm thinking the chicken who almost got pecked clean is the culprit. After watching her attack her new roommate made me think this. Some say its the ones that have all their feathers. I don't think so they are the ones that run away that's why they have their feathers. I added a Dom to this flock she will not let them touch her. Don't ever add one Dom to a flock of red chickens my god I could write a book on that stupid move. But I did it. I think I've actually lost my mind.

 

[Tracydr]

Quote:
I've not dealt with this before but this is how I'd deal with it, too.

 

[Tracydr]

Do you feed any kitchen scraps or interesting treats? Might try adding something that takes time to eat, such as melons, pumpkins and cabbages.

 

[CMV]

The only ones in my flock that managed to avoid being picked at were the older hens (I have mixed ages in my flocks) and the chronic broodies that never left the nesting boxes, but even the broodies were getting picked around the head and face. Everyone else was half-scalped including some of the worst offenders. It made me nuts! My flock ate better than most families because I was cooking up so much meat for them to offset any protein deficiencies. I had no eggs because I was feeding them all back to the chickens. The day I was planning to cook up a pot roast for the chickens was the day I decided that enough was enough. I realized I couldn't afford to keep trying to deal with the problem. The only way to deal with it was with a sharp hatchet. And it worked. Sadly, I have a huge chicken coop and run that is now empty, but the few birds I have left are gorgeous. Next spring I hope to re-up the flock with a new batch of pullets. Hopefully the next group I get will be less adventurous.

Nice job on the deer, by the way. I am in the process of defleshing/bleaching 2 deer skulls I got from my neighbors, and I am getting at least 2 more skulls in the next week. It's been a very productive hunting season this year.

Good luck.

 

[7L Farm]

Quote:
I'm into european mounts. I killed this hog he was over 300 pounds & had big tusk. I decided to mount my deer this year. Best one I've ever shot here & I need a 7L mount.

 

[CMV]

Gorgeous! Nice work.