Pine tar for picking question

[ahclem]

I've read several posts here from people who've had some success using pine tar on hens that have been picked. I went to buy some and noticed that the can has several warnings that pine tar is "harmful or fatal if swallowed". So I didn't buy it.

I'm concerned that it will harm the hens that are doing the picking or the hen that it's on when she grooms.

Any input?

 

[Montana]

I tried pine tar a few years ago on two of my hens. Both hens ate it off there own backs. They were fine, but the tar didn't do much to help the pecking situation. There have been two things that have worked for me, isolating the hen or putting a chicken saddle on the hen. Both worked well.

 

[hensonly]

Hi,

I saw the same warning, and also didn't buy it at first...but then one of my hens was pecked to death by her flockmates, so I figured the pine tar was the lesser of two evils and got some. Also, many, many other forum folks with many many years of experience use it - so I did, too, and the hens took one taste and if they could talk they would have said, "EEEEW! ICK! YUCK!" and they didn't even try to peck each other after that. It is sticky stuff, and will get their shavings and all manner of crud stuck to them, but it does wear off and is better than being eaten alive. I used it a few times this winter and there don't seem to be any ill effects from it.

I went out with a friend and a flashlight after they were on the roost. He held the light, I put the pine tar on with an old paint brush. I wore rubber gloves and old clothes as it's messy stuff and the smell lingers. But it worked very well and I would do it again if necessary.

Good luck!

 

[CMV]

I've had good luck with it, as well. The look of horror on a chicken's face when they get a beak full of that is priceless. Nips that little problem in the bud. It is also so unpleasant to work with that I am researching alternatives to avoid ever having to use it again. What a nuisance! I was covered in this stinking goo that wouldn't wash off for 2 days after applying it to one chicken.