Feather Pecking - Supplements

[babymunkey]

Hey All

I have a persistent issue with feather pecking in my flock of 5. I think it started with my biggest white chook (forgive me, I have lost track of which breed each one is), but has possibly spread due to habit? In addition in the spring we had a few red mites (not too many - I caught it early) which we treated - there are still a few lurking which I spray every week so keep it under control.

The result is that they ALL have bumper bits on permanently. I'd like to change that. I suspect some of it is environmental - I think they're bored. Plus think they probably need help to regrow feathers and maybe the feather pulling is diet related?

So a couple of questions..

1. Is there are relatively inexpensive supplement I can give them? Was reading something about giving them Life Guard in a rabbit water bottle as that would act as something to do as well.
2. Whats the best things to give them to support feather re-growth? We often have too many eggs - saw somethings about frozen scrambled egg pops?
3. How long can they wear bumper bits? Forever?
4. How often can they/should they have mealworms? I only give them as a treat maybe once a week, a few large handfuls between the 5 of them.

Any advice - would love to solve this once and for all...

H

[frias]

I've never had to resort to bumper bits but it does sound as if the feather pecking might have started out of boredom. How much space do they have and what is in that space? Hang up cabbages or a hanging basket full of greens. Cabbage leaves, runner bean leaves, cauliflower cut offs, dandelions etc.
My vet is a great believer in mealworms and they can have them everyday although they are expensive. Also earthworms, slugs and snails are good protein and also chopped up boiled eggs. I presume they have proper chicken pellets and you also need to supply grit and oyster shell. Apple cider vinegar in the water is good and also a supplement called Orego stim. Old tyres, branches and outside perches can give the variety and interest. Regular worming with Flubenvet is essential.
Sorry if I've told you something you already know but maybe something will help.

[babymunkey]

Thanks for the advice, had heard apple cider vinegar before as well.

So they have layers pellets with Verm-x in and they are wormed regularly with Flubenvet. They have access to grit, which I think is osyter shell based, but will check.

They have about 20 square metres for 5 hens. Part of the issue I think is that they are free range in the garden in the winter, but get locked up in the summer because of the veg bed.

Food based entertainment doesnt last long - they will demolish a lettuce head or a cabbage in minutes. I have surplus courgettes and cucumbers about to come into fruit (cant throw a good seedling away!) and have seen a way to hang them that I'll try.

Had thought about a straw bale, but will see if they use it to jump out, which I suspect they may.

Added to which we forgot to collect the eggs the last few days and now have a broody hen - we also have 2 chicks we took in from a school project and wondering if the chirping has contributed to that?

Always something....thanks for the ideas will give them a try....will up the mealworm quota ( I get them from a local reptile pet shop) and will defo use the surplus eggs to boil up for them.

[Scarlet]

I think once you've got a feather pecking problem it's a habit very hard to break unless you act on it quickly. A friend had a similar problem with two different flocks and tried all sorts without any luck. As soon as the bumper bits dropped off they started again. They were hybrids and I believe they have a tendancy for feather pecking.
They will regrow their feathers after their moult.

[babymunkey]

A friend had a similar problem with two different flocks and tried all sorts without any luck. As soon as the bumper bits dropped off they started again. They were hybrids and I believe they have a tendancy for feather pecking.

That's my experience too - this is the second lot of bits they've had on, and they went straight back to it as soon as they were off....and they're all hybrids....so looks like I'm stuck with it.

I hung them a courgette today - you'd think if they were so bored they'd fall on it, but they just looked at it for a bit then wandered off!

Good news is broody hen seems to have given up since the eggs went away...

[Scarlet]

If you've had the pecking problem for sometime unfortunately it is very unlikely you will stop it. If you put your new chicks in with the feather peckers they will eventually pick up the habit too. Hanging veg won't distract them now. You can keep replacing the bumber bits, better that they wear them than walk around bald.

[babymunkey]

Scarlet - thanks, seems you're right but the first time i've heard it said straight. And that's a shame re the new chicks. If I'm in the same boat again, I would get rid of the original culprit straight off....

[Scarlet]

Me too! It's a shame for them to have the bits on but you have to be cruel to be kind. My OH gave me some gorgeous birds for my birthday several years ago. They were only 18 weeks old and were already feather pecking. I kept them for a week and took them back and had a refund on the advice of a experienced chicken keeper.