Polish Picking Problems

[Miss G]

Hi, I'm new to this forum but I've had chickens forever. Our chickens were always free range and pretty much took care of themselves. we just put out feed and water and gave them a place to roost and nest. Now that I'm trying to keep them somewhat confined I have run into all sorts of problems. Thus consulting Backyard Chickens. My problem today is polish picking other polish and them allowing it to be done as in being groomed. I'm trying all sorts of feed ,grain and suet but when they sit around resting they start grooming and start feather picking the crest and allow it to be done as if it is a natural part of grooming each other. Any Ideas anyone?

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

Welcome to BYC!
I have crested girls myself. There are two reasons for what you are describing (unless they are just grooming each other, which chickens sometimes do)... The only difference is motive: Either it is a display of dominance or it is restlessness/boredom... Sadly, crests are often targeted no matter the motive since they are big and easy to grab.

Dominant behavior:
When chickens are establishing their dominance, they peck one another (most commonly on the head/hackles). When chickens that are lower in the pecking order get pecked, they freeze, run or challenge. With cresteds, I have noticed that they do the 'freeze' tactic to show their submission... Thus, I will have all my cresteds sitting in a circle and have one peck the other... and the pecked one stays still while the dominant lands a few more pecks for good measure.

Boredom
The other reason could be boredom. When chickens get bored and decide to peck each other, the one being pecked is under the impression that dominance is being displayed... so they either freeze, run or challenge. Since polishes commonly 'freeze', boredom pecking continues without intervention.

Some of my cresteds have white-tipped crest feathers... which are are constantly the subject of interest... and since they always 'freeze', the others just keep trying to pull those white tipped feathers out without intervention. However, since they are free-range, they have few problems and their crests stay full.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy Happy to have you join the family. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

 

[Samannemm]

My polish always gets picked on. What has made it much easier for her though is giving her a haircut. I would give all of your polish haircuts so they can see what’s coming. A lot of times my polish was getting picked on because she had quite annoying behaviors towards my other hens but it seems like that was because she couldn’t see what she was doing! She’s still picked on but much less and now that she can see where she’s at in relation to the other hens, she gets along with them much better.

 

[ben0125]

 

[drumstick diva]

Silkies often have the same problem- when crest & beards are cut shorter -a change in attitude is generally apparent. When they can actually see, they react to others either to get away, or peck them back.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy Happy to have you join the family. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Environmental stressors are the most likely cause of the behaviour described, and possibly space issues could be at least part of the issue. This link is interesting:

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

 

[chickadoodles]

Hello and welcome to BYC.

 

[N F C]

Thanks for joining us!