Polish hat problem. I don't know what to do.

[Isabella_animale]

Hi everybody. I just wanted to ask a question. I have 2 hens, one Polish and one big Chochin. They grew up together since babies with me. They are almost 2 now, and they live alone in a smallish coop but big enough for them 2, thoughI know they would perfer more. A little while ago I tried to have a little bantam hen I had live with them and my bantam pecked off my Polish's hat. I had to rehome the bantam but my chochin continued to peck at her hat for a little while. I tried blu kote and it didn't work. Finally after I was going to rehome one of them it started to grow back, then she pecked at it again a little while later but not very bad so I left it alone and then it grew back, this time for a while. Now just today I went to see them and she pecked it off pretty bad. I know I have to do something. I just have some issues, I have other pets in my house so I can't even help her hat inside, plus then my other would be alone and they freak out when they're not together. Also I would rehome one and then get a friend for the other but I'm concerned that they will be depressed if separated since they're so close? Also I would rehome them both to a place that had more room but I'm not really sure if giving then more room with stop her from pecking, and I would want to know what happens to them. So my questions are, would it be ok to rehome one of them, would they be depressed? I love them both so much but I can't keep having this happen. Her scalp already looks permanently damaged. It's probably not possible, but if it is is they're any cure I can do that she can stay in the coop with her? Thank you in advance. Sorry for the long message, I hope it's not too confusing.

 

[cavemanrich]

I suspect the problem is from (overcrowding) Yes I know you only have 2,, but the symptoms are same when confined too closely... even 2 hens. When hens have nothing to do ,, they start to bother each-other. Cochins are not known to be aggressive by nature.
What breed was your bantam?? I keep bantams with my LF chickens,, and they are not aggressive ether.
My suggestion,,, rehome these 2 together, (to larger home) and start over after you enlarged their living space.
This way your chicks grow up together, and should be fine,,, in larger quarters.


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Isabella_animale]

I suspect the problem is from (overcrowding) Yes I know you only have 2,, but the symptoms are same when confined too closely... even 2 hens. When hens have nothing to do ,, they start to bother each-other. Cochins are not known to be aggressive by nature.
What breed was your bantam?? I keep bantams with my LF chickens,, and they are not aggressive ether.
My suggestion,,, rehome these 2 together, (to larger home) and start over after you enlarged their living space.
This way your chicks grow up together, and should be fine,,, in larger quarters.


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Thank you, my bantam was a sebright, I have owned them before and they always ended up to be more aggressive. Small but mighty lol. Thank you for your advice. I think I'll have to do that. Only question is, is there people that will take her even if her hat is already messed up?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Thank you, my bantam was a sebright, I have owned them before and they always ended up to be more aggressive. Small but mighty lol. Thank you for your advice. I think I'll have to do that. Only question is, is there people that will take her even if her hat is already messed up?

Yep. Odds are the crest will regrow and some people just cut the crests off their polish anyways

 

[Isabella_animale]

Yep. Odds are the crest will regrow and some people just cut the crests off their polish anyways

Ok thanks

 

[cavemanrich]

Only question is, is there people that will take her even if her hat is already messed up?

If they are people like myself that will rescue a chicken regardless of beauty status,, Yes there are others out there just as myself. I rescued a hen last year that had a pretty messed up scalp. She was bottom of pecking order, and was picked on quite much. Her feathers did not regrow in the wound area,,,, but so what,,,,,, she is my #1 egg producer now. Yes,, the spot is visible with no feathers,,,, but I don't host any BEAUTY CONTESTS HERE.

Yep. Odds are the crest will regrow and some people just cut the crests off their polish anyways

One of the reasons for my unfavorable opinion about my Polish hens,,,, was,,, their Hairdoo. While it was cute,,,, it was not practical during winter. It acted as a mop when they drank water. I used to give my Polish gals haircuts in the Autumn,, In Spring,, feathers regrew each year. Had 3.

 

[cavemanrich]

Isabella_animale​

If you have a way to get them to Melrose Park Illinois,, I will adopt with no questions asked

 

[Mrs J]

Hi everybody. I just wanted to ask a question. I have 2 hens, one Polish and one big Chochin. They grew up together since babies with me. They are almost 2 now, and they live alone in a smallish coop but big enough for them 2, thoughI know they would perfer more. A little while ago I tried to have a little bantam hen I had live with them and my bantam pecked off my Polish's hat. I had to rehome the bantam but my chochin continued to peck at her hat for a little while. I tried blu kote and it didn't work. Finally after I was going to rehome one of them it started to grow back, then she pecked at it again a little while later but not very bad so I left it alone and then it grew back, this time for a while. Now just today I went to see them and she pecked it off pretty bad. I know I have to do something. I just have some issues, I have other pets in my house so I can't even help her hat inside, plus then my other would be alone and they freak out when they're not together. Also I would rehome one and then get a friend for the other but I'm concerned that they will be depressed if separated since they're so close? Also I would rehome them both to a place that had more room but I'm not really sure if giving then more room with stop her from pecking, and I would want to know what happens to them. So my questions are, would it be ok to rehome one of them, would they be depressed? I love them both so much but I can't keep having this happen. Her scalp already looks permanently damaged. It's probably not possible, but if it is is they're any cure I can do that she can stay in the coop with her? Thank you in advance. Sorry for the long message, I hope it's not too confusing.

Have you had rain? Sounds like a silly question I know, but I had this problem with all my polish. It only happened when it rained and their heads got wet. I have their run covered and it has never happened since My hens arn’t overcrowded, I’m actually hatching more because they look lonely with too much space
Just a thought….

 

[Isabella_animale]

Isabella_animale​

If you have a way to get them to Melrose Park Illinois,, I will adopt with no questions asked

Unfortunately I'm around 14 hours from there in NJ. But thank you!❤

 

[Isabella_animale]

Have you had rain? Sounds like a silly question I know, but I had this problem with all my polish. It only happened when it rained and their heads got wet. I have their run covered and it has never happened since My hens arn’t overcrowded, I’m actually hatching more because they look lonely with too much space
Just a thought….

No they don't get rain in their coop