Reversing a feather plucker?

[Chickens-246]

I'm wondering if anyone has been successful in reversing a chicken that is a feather plucker (plucking others)? If so, what did you do?

 

[nancy1zak]

I am having the same problem. URG. At the moment, I am giving them sunflower seeds, and spraying the victim with Hot Pick to reduce any further temptation. So, far it seems to be at a stand still. I don't see anyone else being picked on.

 

[Ms. Cluckingly]

This was probably very bad form on my part, but I was angry. My BR was plucking my RSL so badly that she was bleeding profusely and went into shock. SO.. I sold her.

 

[feathersnuggles]

I have the same problem. My lowest hen is being plucked (her neck feathers) by the next-lowest hen who is very aggressive with her. I've smeared Pick-No-More lotion on her hackle feathers... to no avail. I've sprayed Blu-Kote on them, and still she's getting plucked. She hates the smell, I think, so I give her seed treats for tolerating my daily treatment of her feathers.

I've even put the bully, a black australorp, into daytime time-out...locking her in the run for hours, while the others free-range. They all free-range most of the day, they get a high-quality organic feed, plus oyster shell and some days I give them protein treats, too. The time-out hasn't really killed her bad habits, yet.

The lowest hen is my prettiest, too. An EE, with full beard and muffs. And she's got beautiful color contrasts in her neck feathers, which makes the plucked areas EVEN more obvious. I feel sick about this. I think the bully has only been able to break the feathers, leaving about 1" - so I'm grateful there's not been blood, so far. But, what can I do? I'm afraid to leave them for even a 2-day vacation. Any advice besides culling or selling?

 

[zatsdeb]

give them a handful of catfood every day, maybe they need the extra protien.

 

[feathersnuggles]

I thought cat food (or other high-protein stuff) was for feather-eaters?

My aggressive bird doesn't eat the feathers she breaks off. She just bullies the little hen, attacking her neck & breaking off her feathers. I find the broken feathers around the yard, in clusters, after which I check the little hen's neck, and find a new patch of missing feathers.

Is there some kind of homeopathic treatment which can calm down my bully hen? She's a very hearty and healthy bird, with glistening feathers. She's just exceptionally mean to the littlest hen, who is getting more & more timid.

 

[zatsdeb]

a friend of mine told me about that cause my hens were pulling the feathers out of my polish roosters head. they pick and pull cause they are either bored, or need extra protien I was told. even if they don't eat the feathers they are picking and sometimes draw blood which they get a taste of. It wouldn't hurt to try. I don't know of anything else to put on them unless you put something else in the pen for them to pick at.. I put apples on a stick so mine would have a treat, and they love picking at that.

 

[feathersnuggles]

My girls aren't locked in a pen or run when this is happening; they are Outside. They free-range a big backyard, with lots of trees, grass, shrubs and plants, plus they have carved out a dry sandy place under our deck where they take frequent dust-baths. They have lots of natural things to pick at in the form of insects, dirt, weeds & leaves, and rotting logs to scratch apart. The bully hen sometimes just gets her sights on the little hen, and goes after her -- regardless of any other backyard "entertainment" she has available.

 

[zatsdeb]

mine freerange also.. and have access to at least 2 acres.... sometimes you get one that just likes to pick. Now my polish, I think they pick on him cause of his feathers sticking up on his head. maybe cause he is always bugging them too. Who knows what goes through their little chicken minds! I gave them the apples cause I had lots, for a treat and it is fun to watch them pick at it!

 

[sotelomary]

Put pinless peepers on them 24/7 for 6 weeks. They can still eat, drink, breath, etc. I've been told this breaks the habit. You can order them from Randall Burkey. Just make sure they are the pinless type. They are made of plastic and inexpensive.

Mary