Vent pecking/feather pulling

[Tracyree]

Having a lot of trouble with my flock. Someone is pulling vent feathers and I cant figure out who. They dont do it when I watch, no matter how long. But about 1/3 of my hens a have naked bottoms. No mites/lice. I have a bully and dont know who. What would you do?

I’ve tried locking up suspects for a few weeks and shifting flock dynamics, but I have a feeling the ones who were locked up learned the behavior and it’s not just one doing it anymore.

First time it happened two had bad wounds. Those healed and now other have naked butts but no wounds.

At a loss.

Have 10 hens in a 6x8 interior with about 11 feet of roost and fully enclosed 16x20 run with tons of enrichment.

 

[dawg53]

Consider buying Pinless Peepers for your birds, they work. Just make sure you get the right size. Also, you'll need the pliers to put them on and take them off as needed. This site has peepers for large and medium size birds.
https://www.amazon.com/Weilan-Pinless-Chickens-Roosters-Pheasants/dp/B08L66BZQ5/ref=sr_1_27_sspa?crid=3M5TELWP5LVWM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BqdIPID961BcXy6ir8yalFLaYtwE66dGpEe7TLNAlTQZ-YFMdKfSaH8UhKaGNtsdAOpDLd389VZup2lOKrZXQgYwrqmcRrhZyjPUwqOMD_-_5g65_0LczuZ880etXvEAcf6w0wC7I_moe8_UP5rh12IdLXyOlFVZo6W61XzFTIaCKuh6HorJlkSMtJcmCldlhOmOBIbI11TWZnN3JPPChbxSyYI1ktzh8NG6Z-X1WxWDfGLZZy5POdyzRig5AL1bVBFIV-51OwMakRmGelrFZUHy7ZZo25UR7K7p9tGbSHQ.spE57VbcJ4us_k0zFSq_FIFaQUzBnpivhZ76MN5YWzM&dib_tag=se&keywords=pinless+peepers+for+chickens&qid=1748632759&sprefix=pinless+peepers,aps,374&sr=8-27-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&psc=1

 

[Tracyree]

Consider buying Pinless Peepers for your birds, they work. Just make sure you get the right size. Also, you'll need the pliers to put them on and take them off as needed. This site has peepers for large and medium size birds.
https://www.amazon.com/Weilan-Pinless-Chickens-Roosters-Pheasants/dp/B08L66BZQ5/ref=sr_1_27_sspa?crid=3M5TELWP5LVWM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BqdIPID961BcXy6ir8yalFLaYtwE66dGpEe7TLNAlTQZ-YFMdKfSaH8UhKaGNtsdAOpDLd389VZup2lOKrZXQgYwrqmcRrhZyjPUwqOMD_-_5g65_0LczuZ880etXvEAcf6w0wC7I_moe8_UP5rh12IdLXyOlFVZo6W61XzFTIaCKuh6HorJlkSMtJcmCldlhOmOBIbI11TWZnN3JPPChbxSyYI1ktzh8NG6Z-X1WxWDfGLZZy5POdyzRig5AL1bVBFIV-51OwMakRmGelrFZUHy7ZZo25UR7K7p9tGbSHQ.spE57VbcJ4us_k0zFSq_FIFaQUzBnpivhZ76MN5YWzM&dib_tag=se&keywords=pinless+peepers+for+chickens&qid=1748632759&sprefix=pinless+peepers,aps,374&sr=8-27-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&psc=1

Thanks. Do you recommend I put them on all of them then? For how long?

 

[dawg53]

I'd put the peepers on all of them, permanently. Once learned, pecking and picking doesnt go away. I use them on most of my birds.