Please help w/pecking, plucking, feather eating. Lotsa info & pics!

[cherylcohen]

peepers SAVED me and my flock, everyone loves each other, or they pretend to

 

[CKMom]

Thanks for all this useful information as I am having some of the same issues. MY EE rooster has no tail feathers anymmore, but the dominiques and BOs look lovely. One person suggested that they free range for a few hours. How exactly do you do that? I try to let mine out of their run for some fun, but they don't want to go back in until they are ready. I leave the run door open and they come and go as they please but if I try to force them to go in, all kaplooey breaks loose.

 

[Hambone]

Let them out a few hours before dark. When it gets dark go down to the coop. They will be in the coop roosting. You can't force them. They will go in. It's their home. Believe me your chickens know their home. They are locked in it 24/7. They will go in at dark. I used the peepers. They worked all right. They can still peck them selves. I kept the peepers on for a month and was not totally satisfied with the results. I ended up just throwing in the towl and letting them free range. I have lost one bird but they are much happier and dont have a pecking problem any more. I actually just got my hens a rooster yesterday. He slipped out of the coop when I was working today. Now him for example does not realize the coop is his home yet. I had to grab him out of a tree when it got dark tonight. lol.

 

[micaheart]

I agree with many of the posts. I think they need to be able to be out. If there are lots of predators, then building a simple tractor is easy to do and can be moved around during the day. They will stay safe and have new things to explore. Then by the time they go to bed, they will be tired and just sleep! Good luck.