Hi folks, Early this year I had to give my ten pullets each goggles (I can't remember the proper name for them) to stop them from attacking each other. I hated to do it but nothing else was working. They nearly killed one of the flock. It was successful and they immediately became less aggressive. No more pecking etc... My question is, do I have to leave the goggles on forever or can I eventually take them off again. Thanks! Robert
* Pavlovian response training?? I imagine if every time the chickens fight, you goggle the combatants, they may get the message eventually. ??
The correct name is peepers, I believe. I have to admit, I have never heard of chickens being that aggressive, unless they were gamefowl. How old are your pullets? How much space do they have? What do you feed them? What breed are they? I think peepers or blinders have to be left on, but I could be wrong because I do not use them myself. If I had chickens that aggressive, I would cull them and start over. Maybe with everyone's help, we can figure out what your pullets problem is. I hope we can help! I know this has to be frustrating! -Kim
Just because they are attacking one another doesn't mean they have to be gamefowl. Any breed kept in too close of quarters can and will attack one another. Also, if they are not getting the proper nutrition, and/or have any sort of parasites, they may feather pick and attack one another. The "peepers" are a quick fix to a possible bigger underlying problem. We need some more info before we can tell ya that taking them off at a later date will result in them not going back to the picking. All chickens peck one another, that is how they establish their heirarchy known as the "pecking order". So fill us in on how big a run they are in, what they are being fed, when is the last time they were dewormed/checked for mites, etc.
If I may, I have some new pheasants, (1 hen 1 cock) my other male and 2 hens escaped, still have 2 unrelated hens to combine with the new ones. the new pair have 'peepers' on, from the person I bought them from. I do need to separate out my Silky's that are sharing the pen with them. I am unsure of how to incorporate the pheasants into a flock. but am looking forward to eggs, hatchlings. Does anyone have Experience with these, that can help me. Thanks in advance. the escapee's did return to front yard until dog chased them away. have not seen them in a couple of days. too slow to catch them and cats hunt in the area. so have 'written them off as 'gone'