pecking order question ?

[jlj1212]

Hello everyone, we have 11 hens, Sue, a buff orpprington, used to be way up at the top, of the pecking order, she used to pick on our smaller and younger isa browns, well the isa's have molted and grown up, and now poor Sue is on the bottom of the pecking order, she looks terrible, missing feathers all around her neck, she gets chased into the nesting area and chased off the roosting poles, (Only by the Isas) she barely goes into the Run anymore, is the pecking order just being reestablished or is Sue possibly Ill and the others know ?
Besides looking terrible Sue is acting fine, when we let them out in the yard she runs around and is eating bugs and grass.
Any thoughts of what to do would be much appreciated

 

[jlj1212]

this is an image of sue

 

[jlj1212]

a picture of her butt, she has no feathers yhere anymore due to other ladies pecking them out

 

[WthrLady]

That looks exactly like my Ameraucana. We keep a good sprayer of blukote, no peck on her. If our mean olive egger keeps it up, it's a new set of no pin eyewear for her!

 

[WthrLady]

Can you separate her out for a while to have a chance to recover and be less of a target?

 

[jlj1212]

are those actually supposed to help ?
I could go to tractor supply and get a set of those if they might help poor sue from being pecked on

 

[WthrLady]

I've been told they do. Never used them myself. Good luck with what ever you go with. Make sure to update us!

 

[jlj1212]

I have been told taking her out of the flock will just make it worse when she is reintroduced, so do we just let the pecking order ( if this is what is occuring) to continue ?
Can they reestablish a pecking order after one has been established and in effect for over a year ?

 

[krista74]

Hi there!

The pecking order of a flock is subject to change at any time. All that needs to happen is for one hen to challenge another, and it's on! Your girl is definitely moulting - there is no doubt about that. The missing feathers on her rump don't look like moult though - I think that's definitely feather pecking. As @WthrLady suggested, if you can get hold of some Bluecote or No Peck, use that for sure. I have heard mixed reviews about the pinless peepers, some people swear by them and others are convinced they don't work. But for a few dollars, why wouldn't you give them a go? It certainly can't hurt to try them! I'd buy a set for all the birds you see pecking at her and see if it helps.

Another thing to think about - pecking can have several causes. Lack of protein is the main one of them, and generally speaking the birds who need the most protein are the ones who are moulting, or have recently been through a moult. I would suggest introducing some more protein into their diets for a few weeks and see if that helps. Mine like bacon, sandwich meat, and left over meat from our dinners. If you can get mealworms, they would be great too. Protein is the main thing needed to regrow lost feathers. Some birds not only peck out their flock-mate's feathers, they also eat them in an attempt to replenish their protein stores! So yes, boosting their protein intake might help you.

The other culprit with feather pecking is boredom. If left to their own devices, chickens will find a way to keep themselves entertained - read: Chase down a flock-mate and pluck out all her feathers for fun! To prevent this sort of behaviour, you need to keep them occupied. You could try dumping some logs or tree branches in their run to hide in. Freeze some fruit into ice-blocks for them to play with and eat. Install a chicken swing. Hang heads of cabbage so they have to jump to get to them. You know - a chicken play-gym!

Hope some of that helps you. If your girl is at the point where she is bleeding from her attacks, I'd separate her out. If chickens see blood it can spell the end for the unfortunate wounded bird - they just can't leave it alone. Otherwise, if there is no blood drawn, I'd push on with protein and entertainment and see if that helps.

Bets wishes,

Krista

 

[cicknmama]

Hi there!

The pecking order of a flock is subject to change at any time.  All that needs to happen is for one hen to challenge another, and it's on!  Your girl is definitely moulting - there is no doubt about that.  The missing feathers on her rump don't look like moult though - I think that's definitely feather pecking.  As @WthrLady
suggested, if you can get hold of some Bluecote or No Peck, use that for sure.  I have heard mixed reviews about the pinless peepers, some people swear by them and others are convinced they don't work.  But for a few dollars, why wouldn't you give them a go?  It certainly can't hurt to try them!  I'd buy a set for all the birds you see pecking at her and see if it helps.

Another thing to think about - pecking can have several causes.  Lack of protein is the main one of them, and generally speaking the birds who need the most protein are the ones who are moulting, or have recently been through a moult.  I would suggest introducing some more protein into their diets for a few weeks and see if that helps.  Mine like bacon, sandwich meat, and left over meat from our dinners.  If you can get mealworms, they would be great too.  Protein is the main thing needed to regrow lost feathers.  Some birds not only peck out their flock-mate's feathers, they also eat them in an attempt to replenish their protein stores!  So yes, boosting their protein intake might help you.

The other culprit with feather pecking is boredom.  If left to their own devices, chickens will find a way to keep themselves entertained - read:  Chase down a flock-mate and pluck out all her feathers for fun!  To prevent this sort of behaviour, you need to keep them occupied.  You could try dumping some logs or tree branches in their run to hide in.  Freeze some fruit into ice-blocks for them to play with and eat.  Install a chicken swing.  Hang heads of cabbage so they have to jump to get to them.  You know - a chicken play-gym!

Hope some of that helps you.  If your girl is at the point where she is bleeding from her attacks, I'd separate her out.  If chickens see blood it can spell the end for the unfortunate wounded bird - they just can't leave it alone.  Otherwise, if there is no blood drawn, I'd push on with protein and entertainment and see if that helps.

Bets wishes,

Krista 

I agree with this post. I had several hens that were getting pretty aggressive with a couple of their new flock mates this past winter. I used the pin less peepers AND increased their protein. Worked very well for me. The peepers help to break their bad habit of pulling feathers.