The pecking is getting worse not better!

[NaturalChick]

My hens are pecking each other bare!

It started with just a couple of hens being pecked on the back.

I put Blu-Kote on the bare spots and separated them but the pecking has spread to the tails, wings and necks of ALL OF THE HENS NOW.

I put another feeder in the run and I have plans to make the run larger.

I am going to make saddles for all of them today, how long can I leave them on ?

I'm getting so frustrated!

Any suggestions, ideas, info?

Thanks all!

 

[jenni2142]

How many hens in how big of a run? What are you feeding them?

 

[NaturalChick]

Ten hens in a run a little bit bigger than a 30x7 foot rectangle that gets bigger at one end (it widens to about 15').

Two coops attached: One built to accommodate 20 hens, the other 5 hens.

I feed them layer crumbles, bird seed treats, kitchen/garden scraps and oyster shell.

Hope that helps.

Thanks

 

[CMV]

Try pine tar or rooster no-pick. You can get both at your local agriculture store. Good luck.

 

[heir_flick]

usually pecking is due to boredom. im no expert but my guess is they need something, even to their tiny heads, to keep them ocupied. try changing things up a little. move their pen, move their food source, put up dividers. change something.