Stubborn feather-picking hen

[welovechickens]

My SLW hen is persisting in picking on my Ameraucana hen (Biddy). Betty (SLW) has picked and eaten all of Biddy's "fluff" several times over! We've tried Bag Balm and Mentholatum, and then Blu-Kote. The Blu Kote seemed to work the best for awhile, but now Betty is picking/eating even with that on the feathers!

Is there anything else we can try? I'm sure Biddy is tired of being picked on, and I don't like having a chicken that is mean to the others.

We are considering "Pinless Peepers" but they are so expensive, we haven't worked up the nerve to get them yet.

Thank you for any suggestions!

 

[skittle]

iv only ever had to resort to vinager +water to stop mine tho there are sprays u could try ill see if i get the name of the 1 my mother uses

 

[ranchhand]

Is the SLW getting enough protein? I'd check that first. If she continues, I'd take her out for a few days to re-establish the pecking order. And maybe move the roost(s) around so she can't reach the others so easily.

 

[welovechickens]

I'm pretty sure the SLW is doing it from boredom. She's the top hen, and very hyperactive. She gets plenty of protein (they all do) She does it when the Ameraucana is eating....she walks up behind her and starts yanking! Right now she is seperated from the other two. Should I keep them out of sight of each other, or just make it so she can't touch the others?

I haven't tried vinegar and water....what's the ratio for that mixture?

Thanks!

 

[toletiquesbysam]

I have about 4-5 hens with missing feathers and/or bare bottoms. When I went in to feed them one night I watched and it was one of my delaware girls who was doing it. I didn't know what to do, I have 4 delaware hens and unless I grabbed her quick to mark her I couldn't again pick her out. Soo I saw an ad on craigslist about a couple asking for laying hens, and I donated all of my delaware hens to them including my rooster! That leaves me now with only 16 girls left but I'm hoping I removed my problem and the feathers will grow back!! If I could have marked her to catch the culprit, I would have separated her for a few weeks until I made sure the feathers were growing back, but I found another way to handle it and a weight lifted off my shoulders!!

 

[welovechickens]

I've considered seeing if someone would do a trade with me (she's a good layer, though her eggs are small) but at this point I am too busy to mess with the potential health concerns that would accompany a trade......quarantines, etc.

If she just absolutely refuses to stop though, I will probably follow through. I think it'd be good for her to be part of a bigger flock and get pushed around a bit.

 

[azygous]

If you're at your wits end, and have tried everything else, you might give this a try. It worked on a stubborn Brahma of mine who insisted on picking and eating her own neck feathers and stayed bald for three months.

The magic ingredient is artificial grape flavor Kool-aid powder. Birds have flavor receptors to artificial grape flavoring (not to be confused with real grapes which we all know they adore) similar to our red hot pepper receptors in our human mouths. I mix two tablespoons of Vick's Vapo-rub (the turpentine oil in it is an additional deterrent) with an envelope of Grape Kool-aid, or Vaseline will work. Spread it on the area being pecked.

The first time I put in on my Brahma, she gobbled up a beak-full and couldn't wait to scrape it off her beak. She left her neck alone from then on, and it's all filled in with new feathers now. I've used it successfully on others that were getting pecked by bullies.

Caution: it's horribly greasy and doesn't wash out easily from the feathers.

 

[Texasboy4ever]

Once you have a spot that the other chickens can see they all join in and won't stop. They do get bored and if they are confined they will pick at each other. I let mine free range most of the time and that seems to help. The last ones I raised I had 15 Roosters and 12 hens in one pen their coop was 8 ft by 8ft but the run was 16 by 20. None of them picked at each other but I did let them out most of the time

 

[carriehelene]

I'm having the same problem right now with one of my mixed breeds, she's eating my EE alive, feather by feather. So I locked the little wench up in chicken jail. She is NOT happy about it either. Not even Wound Kote stopped her. She doesn't seem to be doing it to bully the others, and I've added more protein to their diet, it's almost like she's addicted and can't help herself. I'm not sure what I'm going to do if she doesn't stop. I can't have bald chickens running around, but she's my sweetie, and loves me dearly. What a dilemma. Wish I had some advice for you.

 

[welovechickens]

Thanks for the tip about grape-flavor kool-aid! I will have to try that.

We've had Bag Balm and Mentholatum on Biddy's backside, so we're used to the greasy feathers. A lot of it comes off when she dust bathes!