Pecking

[Bostonburbs]

Hello all,
We have 8 spring chickens who have all gotten along famously in our Boston suburban backyard as our pets....until two weeks ago. They have plenty of space and entertainment in their run, and we were getting them out for a couple of hours each day, which has been shortened as the temps have dropped. 16% layer feed, but I did recently switch from crumble to pellets in a very slow transition, offering both forms for a week.

Two weeks ago, I noticed that one of my EEs was bare around her neck, and missing feathers at the base of her tail.

Unfortunately, that same day, my Salmon Faverolle was attacked by a hawk. By some miracle, she escaped with only a strained wing. I felt it would be better to keep her with the others, and kept a close eye on her. She was fully recovered within 3 days.

During that time, I was able to observe the bully: another EE. She mostly picked on the SF. I separated the bully during the day (within sight of the rest) for a few days, but put her back with them at night. (I wasn’t sure what you are supposed to do about egg-laying and roosting for a chicken jail candidate...)

The SF does not seem to be losing feathers or showing ANY signs of injury from the bullying. My husband said I should let them be.

But then yesterday I started observing my BO bullying the original EE bully, pecking at her chest feathers while the EE just stood there. So now we have two active bullies.

I give up. I sort of wish we had just gotten a dog. Any advice would be appreciated, since we are expecting 9 inches of snow on Monday, and free-ranging days will be over.

Attaching some pictures. The run is secure, and “chicken jail” (third photo) is much less so; chicken wire wrapped around the trees and secured at the base with rocks and wood. Not the best, but it was all we could manage for now. Won’t work with precipitation!

 

[azygous]

You might have a nutrition problem along with a bullying issue. Layer feed can be somewhat lacking in adequate protein for some flocks, and that can trigger feather picking. In my opinion, layer feed is over hyped and unnecessary for backyard layers. A higher protein all flock feed would be a good place to start. Provide oyster shell free choice if you aren't already.

The bullying might be a separate issue if the added protein doesn't seem to help the problem. Bullying and feather picking aren't necessarily related. You need to determine if your picked on hens are actually suffering the effects of bullying before you take the drastic measure of addressing it.

A bullied hen may be weak and withdrawn from not getting enough food. Her breast bone may feel exposed and sharp. She may be a target of aggression, frequently being stabbed by beaks and chased. You need to hang around and observe to see if this is going on.

Here's my article on treating the bullying victim, which is my preference since treating the bully rarely solves the problem. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

As for dealing with the egg laying while the victim is being held in protective custody, I watch her and carry her to a nest box when I see she's pacing back and forth, agitated because she needs to lay her egg. You may also be able to install a crate in her pen to lay in if she's agreeable to that, but I've only had success with that with one hen that was lame and she had to use the jail pen for an extended period.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I also had feather picking when I switched to a 16% layer feed when they turned a year old. They were on a 18% feed for the first year.
After switching back to 18% feed, the picking continued.
I purchased Pinless Peepers and kept them on the three culprits for three weeks. Picking cured
I now have two hens from original Flock, 44 months old and five hens 15 months old.
The younger hens have never been fed a 16% layer feed.
I feed all a 18 to 20% feed, a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower or a All-Flock Flock Raiser crumble. Whichever is available or fresher when I'm at TSC.
The higher protein helps get them through molt quicker too.
One of my younger hens started to molt the middle of October. Here she is at her worst on November 9. . Here she is on November 29. . . Click on Pics to enlarge. GC

 

[Bostonburbs]

Thanks for your responses. This is helpful info. When I observe the pecking, my SF might yelp, but she otherwise seems to be hanging with the others, eating as she wishes, and moving about the run normally. I have seen her go to the coop/roost at times, but she is generally out and about. None of them seem to really react to the pecking; it's as if they stand there and just "take it," and then everyone goes about their business.

I did just see a few of them frantically gobbling stray feathers, which I had noticed when this all started. I fed them hardboiled eggs with the shells, and that behavior seemed to slow.

With all of this in mind, it does sound like it might be a combo problem of feed and behavior. Wish we had your beautiful isolation space, azygous! That is just amazing!!

 

[Folly's place]

I agree about the feed, and use 20% protein Flock Raiser here too, with separate oyster shell.
If you don't already have two separate feeders and two waterers, add them, so there's no possible issue at either. Especially at the feeder, if you can't conveniently heat two waterers.
Look for mites or lice, at night when they are roosting, with a flashlight. Any external parasites will magnify any other problems!
If this turns into a bullying issue with one hen, maybe try the pinless peepers, and if nothing else works, rehome her.
Peace in the flock is the most important thing!
SFs are lovely birds, but not as bold as some, and can be bottom of the pecking order in a mixed breed flock.
Mary

 

[annaBsChick]

Add enrichment items to your flock, to help take their minds off pecking each other. Here is a good infographic with ideas - http://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/environmental-enrichment-for-poultry

 

[aart]

Add enrichment items to your flock, to help take their minds off pecking each other. Here is a good infographic with ideas - http://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/environmental-enrichment-for-poultry

There's some good ideas there...except the food items should be avoided, IMO.
Here's some other ideas to 'clutter up the run' for diversion and 'hiding' places.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/