pecking problem

[Egg Rookie 2010]

I just discovered last night WHO the problem is...Matilda (who is not even the top dog) just randomly pulls feathers out of all 4 Marans. They are strating to look really shabby and they just stand there and let her do it! She doesnt even look mean about it...just leans over and pulls out a few and if they move away she just follows them around til she gets a few. No one else is doing this. Be straight with me. Should I just have a BBQ and get it over with? I just dont have the means to separate her and all that business. They have a high protein diet, toys, snacks, LOTS of room. I put blukote on last night and that hasnt deterred her a tiny bit. These other girls are going to be in trouble if she draws blood and they look terrible. It sounds like there is no easy fix. They hatched in Feb. Now on another note I lost a few recently so if she goes I really would like to have 5 or so more. Is it a bad idea to get started birds and integrate them or just suck it up and wait til spring to get more? Im feeling very discouraged.

 

[effie]

I have a SIL that goes to horse shows to sell stuff and there was a guy there selling feed and he also had a thing called a "pecker wrecker" to hang in the coop for them to peck instead of each other. She was gonna get me one to have( I have no problems-yet). I haven't heard any more about it===tried to google it and got several porn sites --imagine that---maybe someone else has heard or it on here. Don't they make something to put on her beak?? I thought I saw something on here. I am sure someone will have some wise words on here for you. Shame we can't put them in a time out chair.

 

[speckledegg]

I just got on to ask a similar question. My BSL is picking on my RSL.

Right by her tail feathers. They free range, get plenty of protein and food. I do'nt know how boredom could be an issue. Hopefully someone can chime in. I am thinking about rehoming the BSL because of it.

I wanted to add - it's your decision if you want to take the time to get new older birds and integrate them. I recently did this and it's takes time. You have to quarantine the new birds in a coop or cage away from your current flock for at least 4 weeks to make sure they don't bring any new disease into your flock. Then you can begin the process of integrating them. You'd have to worry about integrating new birds either way but it is a slow process. I think I may stick with baby chicks in the future just because the quarantine process was a little stressful. It's doable though.

Good luck!

 

[Egg Rookie 2010]

Big sigh...we were just outside talking about what to do and there she is...ripping feathers out in a random bored looking style while the victims just stand there! She even picked at the ROOS behind and he just took it. So weird. I have a feeling she wont see tomorrow. And yes after thinking it over it is best to just wait til spring hatch and get babies. I can brood them under the nest boxes in the big girl coop so they can at least see each other for a good long time before they have physical contact. Again...big sigh.