picking/pecking other chickens

[Sipplchicks]

Winter is so not fun.
Can you put some pick-no-more on the gal that is getting pecked?

Other options include adding branches, saw horses, old tire with peat moss, to the run. Redecorating gives them something new to do.

With just 3 birds maybe you can hang an apple in the run and watch them play tether ball.

 

[Sipplchicks]

That sounds like a lot of fun. I tried the apple. Also cabbage and mealworms or sunflower seeds in a water bottle with a few small holes.

 

[Chullicken]

I really have to get on the no heat lamp wagon, in your zone it's not ever needed. Heat lamps make us feel better, and yes chickens like the heat to some degree but the stress involved in that separation when its gone can cause a lot of issues like you're experiencing. RIR's are a great breed, I had them for years. They are however notoriously famous for being aggressive to each other and flock mates and you add in stress it just creates a whole thing in itself. Some really great advice on here and they seem in great hands.

 

[Chullicken]

That sounds like a lot of fun. I tried the apple. Also cabbage and mealworms or sunflower seeds in a water bottle with a few small holes.

Some great boredom busters you suggested. I find my flock gets bored of the boredom busters (the irony in it). I do find they stay busy for hours using Chopped Straw which is available at TSC's, I usually have to ask for it and its cheap. They scratch and scratch for the tiny seeds left over from the processing. It has a lot of great benefits using this material vs. straw or other bedding material in the run. They scratch for food bits, same time they are 'chickatilling' my entire run to help with aeration.

 

[hkid22]

I bought "peck no more" last night over the Blu Kote. She's still getting pecked.. :-( If it doesn't stop by the weekend I will isolate the one doing the pecking. I bought them a pecking block, added some hanging activities and gave them eggs this morning for breakfast. Not sure what else to do or try. I just feel so bad for my one getting picked on.

 

[Chullicken]

I bought "peck no more" last night over the Blu Kote. She's still getting pecked.. :-( If it doesn't stop by the weekend I will isolate the one doing the pecking. I bought them a pecking block, added some hanging activities and gave them eggs this morning for breakfast. Not sure what else to do or try. I just feel so bad for my one getting picked on.

For those of us who just keep them as pets with benefits, the usual chicken hierarchy can be amazingly painful on our emotions. We have a tendency to project human emotions onto our animals thinking they are the same. But, they are not. They have their very own set of instincts and behaviors which can be fully frustrating without full understanding. Think you are doing the right things and isolation seems the best option to see what really is going on. Please keep us updated, this is valuable information.

 

[Stayc]

I have 2 isa brown hens and a white rock hen. Both the isa's peck my low white rock hen. Though feather loss hasn't been an issue yet. I always give my white rock extra love and treats. She is also really fast so i think that has worked to her benifit being the low hen in the pecking order. You have done everything i would do, and i agree if it persists separate the one pulling feathers. Best of luck to you and your girls

 

[Chullicken]

I have 2 isa brown hens and a white rock hen. Both the isa's peck my low white rock hen. Though feather loss hasn't been an issue yet. I always give my white rock extra love and treats. She is also really fast so i think that has worked to her benifit being the low hen in the pecking order. You have done everything i would do, and i agree if it persists separate the one pulling feathers. Best of luck to you and your girls

I'll never own Sex Links or any ISO's again..mine have been nothing but terroraptors on all the others. Find them way to aggressive for my personality.

 

[Stayc]

I'll never own Sex Links or any ISO's again..mine have been nothing but terroraptors on all the others. Find them way to aggressive for my personality.

I agree. I am a first time chicken owner. They were the only pullets available. I will not get anymore either. They are very aggressive to other hens. They are very sweet to me though.

 

[Hamiam]

I'll never own Sex Links or any ISO's again..mine have been nothing but terroraptors on all the others. Find them way to aggressive for my personality.

I found my Red Sexlinks to be quite aggressive as juveniles. The Blue Kote seemed to help stop the feather pulling. I had a bunch of purple butts running around at one point. Once one of my Black Australorps became head hen, the Red Sex Links chilled out. It probably helps that they have a large area to free range & a lot to keep them busy.