Pinless Peepers

[JoCin]

I am getting ready to try pinless peepers after several weeks of bullying. I have done research and am getting some conflicting information. One farmstead video said if you use them ALL chickens have to have them. Others seem to just put them on the problem hens. Can anyone who has successfully used this method chime in. Thanks.

 

[azygous]

No. All the chickens do not need to have them. Perhaps that recommendation stemmed from the concern that a chicken showing up suddenly in the flock sporting a new and strange feature could invite bullying. The solution is to toss out several of the peepers onto the ground in the run as you return the chicken wearing the new peepers. This desensitizes the flock, and they quickly adjust to the devices. In about five minutes, you can pick up all the extraneous peepers, the flock will have already accepted the hen wearing them.

One precaution I would point out is the danger of extended use causing repetitive irritation of the nares resulting in permanent scar tissue. I have a hen with such damage to one of her nares, and she is unable to breathe out of it. So, to be safe, remove the peepers after two or three months.

If you continue to have bullying problems, perhaps my article on bullying will be of help. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/