Hens: Feather Pecking solutions

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Have some chooks (ex battery mainly) and have an ongoing problem with feather-pecking.

They're in an enclosed space, outside. Have tried proprietory brands for feather-pecking but hasn't made a jot of difference.

Have heard of Stockholm Tar being used for this, wonder if it would work (have some already in tackroom, so would be cheap & cheerful remedy if so!).

Has anyone tried these:

http://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/chicken...d_bumpa_bits/10750/bumpa_bit_-_25mm_-_single/

or these:

http://www.domesticfowltrust.co.uk/products/Anti_Pecking_Products.html

Hope someone can give some feedback. Can't stand to see them doing this to each other any more

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I answered your other thread? greens, shiny things hanging up, more space.

 

[poiuytrewq]

We had this recently with one of ours. We were very new first time owners and had made the shed where they roost at night too light and with the light mornings and evenings they were too active inside.
We were told to make it darker first- easy for us as they had a window! (We were clueless!) so window is well covered.
Secondly we were told to fill a paper sack with straw and hang it in the house for them to peck at.
It's really worked- bullied hen is full of feathers and slightly boss like these days!

 

[WelshD]

Space is usually the number one issue though hybrids are prone to behavioural problems at the best if times

Ukadex is the daddy of anti pecking sprays but it smells dreadful, you need to apply it wearing old clothes and gloves... Or better still naked. Spray, drop the can and leg it!

Stockholm tar does work pretty well particularly the spray stuff. It does need to wear off though so leaves them scruffy and sticky for some time

The Omlet bumper bits do work (you need some circlip pliers to for them) but you really shouldn't need to resort to them. If you have one main aggressor they may be an option but a better idea would be to remove her for a few days so she loses street cred when coming back and is less likely to step out of line

 

[jrp204]

You also need to make your nest boxes dark, a bit of hessian hanging 2/3rds down the nest box will do it.