Pullets pecking each other, and it's getting out of control.

[pjbarb]

*update* I have moved the major plucker to another location, and have taken and tried most of your ideas. Only time will tell now, I will keep you posted. Thank-you all again for your help, you all were a great help and there when I needed you.

 

[silkiechicken]

Might want to up the protein in the diet too as it may be nutritional.

 

[dlhunicorn]

The specific amino-acid (amino acid=protein) associated with feather pecking/eating feathers is METHIONINE...most likely is a combination of things mentioned previously in this thread and may also include external parasites.
as long as the bloody flesh is exposed they will continue to peck so put saddles on those injured... here is a quick method of making a saddle:

(you may have to change the shape between the two leg holes to an ovel to ensure the raw area is suffictly covered)

is your run bare? .... do you have more than one feeding station?
I know that I have half the number of birds you do and I have to have several feeding stations to keep down fighting or bullying.
Another idea for your run is to get a couple of those big ole plastic planters... fill it with sand 2/3 s full and place a big ole bowl with feed in there burying it halfway into the sand and weight down with a rock ... the birds can perch on the rim of the planter and if the bowl size is correct the birds cannot tip it over and the grains will fall into the sand around the bowl. This gives the birds a little variety in their run and prevents fights around the feeding station without taking up too much ranging room. A big ole branch to perch on is also a gooed idea to ease boredom and give birds a certain "territory" to stake out as their "own"
Dont forget to treat for external parasites (Sevin or ivomec Eprinex)

 

[pjbarb]

dlhunicorn, Do you have any photo's I can see with the saddle on? My run has a ladder made of some branches me and the kids made, as well as a few perches out of closet poles. There is sand on the ground, I only have one feeding station in the hen house. When weather permits I put one outside. I am trying to figure out where I can put another in the house, somewhere they can't poop in it.

I was also wondering how long I should keep the Culprit's away from the others? Until full heal...maybe? Also what is a good source of amino?

Thanks again, Paul

 

[dlhunicorn]

I do not have a pic of the bird IN that saddle... I went back to look at the dutch club and the pic with the member had removed the pics (is there a particular reason? I also have one you can sew (pattern) but this one is quick and will hang lower and cover more than the other>just measure for the length and approximate space between the legs)
Mix scrambled eggs thru your feed...sunflower seed (hearts >not the hull) cottage cheese (low salt type!) ... all will provide a bit of methionine. You can also look for the bird supplements especially formulated for molting as they usually have a methionine supplement in them.

 

[sammi]

there are feeders that you can hang on the wall..
try..

jefferslivestock.com

or any good online supplier or farm store.

 

[pjbarb]

dlhunicorn..no real reason besides me being new to this and trying to figure out how to keep it on them. I appreciate the help though. This pecking thing is terrible, today I left them outside most of the day because it was warm not even in their run. As they dug their holes to lay in and sun themselves, the white leghorns went around to all the healing ones and pecked their bald spots...

Then I let the two out I have been isolating, and what a mistake! Now they have been in their own isolated run and nests for a week, and came out plucking feathers of the other chickens. They never touch one another though. One is a Red Star, and the other is a White Rock. Thanks again, Paul

 

[SpottedCrow]

It's a Leghorn thang! Believe me...
Obelisk is pecking the feathers off of Penny...I gave them catfood yesterday and she stopped...
Thanks Diana for the pic of the saddle...I went to Joann's fabric and bought material to make a saddle for Penny. It's a lovely paw print fleece and I'm going to have to make like a turtleneck because her neck is bare too...

I bought elastic to use, which I can pin or sew on permanently.

 

[woozle]

h
My chickens are true free run and do this, so that is too simplistic of an answer. I have used the "Peck-No-More" to no avail, and it is very expensive. I have fed them cat food, which is supposed to help with any protien issues. They have AMPLE access to bugs and critters of all sorts. I think the only answer may be the dang duck tape, but then tey really never will grow tails--I'll be pulling them out, too. ( This reply box is odd, in that it has no cursor, and won't let me go back to edit, so I am stuck with mistakes or things i might like to say differently.) The point is, everyone is telling the poster she is doing something wrong, when she may not be. Yes, her coop is small, but my 1st coop was small, too, and I had no picking. I now do everything "right" and have tailless, red backed hens. Someone solve my problem and I'll dance at your wedding. I've had a lot of chickens in my life.

 

[Troy6671]

Pinless Peepers work the best! I had 13 mutilated hens, now with pinless peepers on all of them, the picking has stopped! They were the miracle cure! Google pinless peepers and there are several places to buy them from.