Pine Tar?

[mrbstephens]

My little RIR is getting too much attention from my Patridge Rock rooster. He's biting the heck out of her head while he's.....ya know, doing his thing. Her head is totally bald and now he's leaving puncture wounds. I've applied blue coat, but that doesn't seem to be helping too much. While at the feed store yesterday I happened to mention it to a lady working there. She said a customer of her's who is an old time farmer uses pine tar to prevent the rooster from biting the hens head. She's ordering more. Anyone use this with success?

 

[mrbstephens]

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

I would not put pine tar on an open wound or bare skin. Ouch!

Seperate them till she heals. He will loose his lust for her and move on hopefully.

Some hens just can't ever be with some roosters.

 

[debtrag]

My dad is eighty years old and he said his mom used pine tar on the chickens when they had injuries. I tried it around the vent area, it seemed to work on a couple that weren't bleeding too bad. One suggestion is that to make sure it is room temperature when you use it. That way it is a little runny. Mine was on the back porch, very cold, and I had to glob it on. The smell is enough to turn them off from pecking. It won't hurt them I used it a week ago and none have died or suffered any ill effects. Knock on wood, though.

 

[gritsar]

I've had good results with using pine tar for pecking issues. It also has healing properties, so can be used on open wounds. My only concern with using it on the head is if it were to run into their eyes.

 

[mrbstephens]

Thanks for the replies. I just ordered some, because the feed store wasn't getting it in for who knows how long. Maybe I could crochet her a little hat in the mean time?