One hen is an evil pecker! How can I help the others?

[bantymum]

Yes, that reminds me Terrie of a bossy, naughty hen that I also had.
I sent her to a new established home and she too went to the bottom of the pecking order. She too was a changed hen, but I didnt have her back either.
Good luck, she will be fine and your hens and roo will be very happy.

 

[pattycake]

I think Delawares are especially prone to this. I have three of them, and while mine don't peck the other chickens, they do peck me, especially my lower back when I squat down to clean the coop. They sneak up behind me, then PECK PECK PECK! Argh!

And I've read other posts on here about mean pecky Delawares. I'm certainly not going to get them again, even though they're kind of cute and sociable (probably just hanging around, waiting for another opportunity to PECK.)

 

[Rebeccahorse]

I had that same problem until I smeared mentholatum on the spots where they were being pecked and when the mean one got a mouthful of that she quit pecking for no reason.

 

[SeaChick]

Rebeccahorse- really???? I am having the same problem (see here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=20186)
and we are really desperate. I just got the mean one set up in a makeshift 'jail' in my office because folks said maybe removing her for a while might help.

What is mentholatum and where do I get it?

I am really wondering whether this exile is only going to stress Hazel out more and make her act more crazy. But it was a last ditch effort before rehoming her.

Do you think I should put her back with the others and try mentholatum?

THANK YOU!

Stacey

 

[speckledhen]

Mentholatum is like Vicks Vaporub. Surely you've heard of that one. Same stuff, I believe. Both should taste awful. I tried it on my Barred Rock rooster's comb and wattles because his ladies were pecking at them and making them bleed. They're STILL doing it! Yuk!

 

[Rebeccahorse]

Mentholatum can be found at most grocery stores, in comes in a tube or round tub. Smear a lot where they are being pecked and once the mean one gets a good mouthful it should stop. It also works because it has a strong smell.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Wouldn't mentholatum be toxic if ingested? i'm just asking because i don't know. i would think if they got it in their eyes it would sting something awful.

 

[Rebeccahorse]

It didn't have any adverse effects on my hens, and I know of at least 3 that got a mouthful. I put it on the places where they were being pecked. The ones being picked on couldn't reach it, and the ones that were picking could get a mouthful but it couldn't get in there eyes.