Pecking

[Suzierd]

I have two Buff Orps that keep pecking the two hens lower then them it's off and on when they go to scratch in a spot one will run up peck and make it leave and scratch in its spot or if I put any scratch down even tho I do several piles a ways apart they chase the around wanting to eat where they are. Now the one one the very bottom of the pecking order has a bald spot on top her head. I only let them together if their out in the elsctric fence area or free range in the field. Whenever their in the run I keep a fence between them because I'm afraid the pecking would be worse in a smaller area. Should I get rid of the BO?

 

[Amina]

Take the bully out for a few days. Put her in somewhere where the other hens can't see her during that time. When you put her back, the other hens will put her in her place and her attitude should be better. You may need to do this with both of the BOs sequentially.

 

[Chicka and Co]

^ Yes I agree, move the Buff Orpingtons into a separate cage or coop if you have a spare.

 

[uslamos]

How can i stop my chickens from pecking at each other there rear ends are getting all raw missing feathers some one told me to take a hot ezackto nife and cut the tips of beaks of is that right

 

[Suzierd]

Thanks for the replys, I have them separate for most of the day, but they are side by side. Don't have a place to move them out of sight.

 

[Amina]

A cage in the garage or something would do

 

[Amina]

Uslamos, the feather picking is probably a symptom of something wrong in their environment. How many birds do you have and how much space do they have? What are you feeding them? have you checked them recently for lice and mites?

 

[Amina]

Oh, and suzierd, if you can't do a cage in the garage or in the house for a few days, would it be possible to hang a tarp or something between them to block the view? it probably works best if they're out of earshot too, but blocking the view for a week might help. After a week, I would put one orpington back with the others and let her get her butt kicked, and then a couple days later, take down the barrier so the second orpington is with the group and can get her butt kicked too