Pecked hiney

[aart]

More protein might help, unless it's already devolved into a habit.

 

[ladybrasa]

I’ve been mixing Nutrena Feather Fixer with layer for the winter. Cant swear to it, but I feel like that helped with a hard molt on one hen (the others’ molts weren’t so bad). She’s fully feathered and soo soft now! Might help with hiney feather growth.

 

[wf1992]

I've never had issue switching cold turkey so I would try all chick feed only, to avoid them pecking out the food they're unfamiliar with to get to the feed they are familiar with. However if you want to ease them into it (and have a lot of all flock on hand) you could also try doing 50-50 for a week or so and see how that goes.

x2 Particularly if you're switching within the same brand. Mine will eat whatever's in the feeder. And when I had a separate dish of starter for chicks, they ate that first - if it's not in the feeder, it's obviously a treat! Unfamiliar food is hardly a deterrent

I do find mine waste more when they get crumbs instead of pellets tho.

 

[Mandee297]

it hasn't gotten better. That is with added enrichment, more protein.
I am thinking of putting her in a dog crate inside the run to give her a break?

 

[KelseyBoxer]

Your poor baby! Are you sure its from being pecked? If you have seen them bullying her, I would separate her so she can get a break. But make sure she can see and hear them. This way they won't forget about her.

 

[aart]

it hasn't gotten better. That is with added enrichment, more protein.
I am thinking of putting her in a dog crate inside the run to give her a break?

Are they or one bird still actively pecking her?
The feathers won't grow back until a molt.

 

[Mandee297]

Are they or one bird still actively pecking her?
The feathers won't grow back until a molt.

One bird is still pecking. And she is also bullied and stressed by a different hen.

 

[aart]

One bird is still pecking.

I'd try removing the pecker...see what happens.
Sometimes one birds behavior ruins the whole flocks harmony.

 

[Mandee297]

I'd try removing the pecker...see what happens.
Sometimes one birds behavior ruins the whole flocks harmony.

Thank you. So put the pecker in the crate in the run? I feel sad she’ll be in a crate but I guess it’s for best. For couple weeks?

 

[aart]

Thank you. So put the pecker in the crate in the run? I feel sad she’ll be in a crate but I guess it’s for best. For couple weeks?

Wherever it's safe to keep her in the crate 24/7.
A week might be a start.
Who do you feel sadder for the pecker or the peckee?