Feather pecking and eating

I recently bought 4 POL hens. They're hybrids - two rangers and two copper blacks.

Shortly after we got them home I noticed that one of the copper blacks 'George', had scruffy plumage at the base of the tail and a bare patch in front of the vent. I thought it was probably due to the plumage not being fully developed, but I think it must have been because it was being pecked. The other three were all fine.

Then when watching them I noticed that George would occasionally pluck feathers from the two rangers and eat them. The other copper black would sometimes fight to get the feather and eat it. I gave it a few days and then bought some anti pecking spray. (http://www.regencypoultry.com/heathcare/anti_peck/barrier_anti_peck.htm)

I've been using that every day for a few days now and if anything the problem is worse. The second copper black has a bare patch at the bottom of her back, and is occasionally plucking feathers from the others. The two rangers are very threadbare around the fluffy area of the bottom and are being tugged off the roosting pole when trying to get a rest.

In desperation I've just put George in isolation to give the others a rest from the pestering.

There are non-organic sprays that I could order (eg http://www.regencypoultry.com/heathcare/anti_peck/ukadex_anti_peck_spray.htm), but I wondered if anyone could suggest anything else.

Thanks

Im having a similar problem.  I've sprayed with purple spray in an attempt to put the offending hen off, but to no avail .  Interested in the NAF product, does it have a commercial name?

Otis Pony: It is just NAF biotin http://www.naf-uk.com/products/detail.php?id=12

Placidcasual: I'm very surprised that layers destined for a backyard flock are beak trimmed, to be honest - however some strains can be more, er, spunky, than others.  Personally I wouldn't breed from stock with behavioural problems, but I suppose a breeder has to make money.

A beak bit will almost certainly help in the short term, to help break the behaviour pattern of feather pecking, and supplementing the diet will help with any nutritional deficiency which the hens need the feathers for.

Hi
Im the writer of the other post!    didnt see yours oops.  i've just texted my husband to pick up some soya beans and kidney beans on his way home, also will isolate her tomorrow for a bit of fish.

Sally isn't top bird either.  I am just so stressed about this as going away thursday and can just see us coming home to dead/eaten chickens!  fingers crossed my anti peck spray and rings come in time.

Its so horrid to watch isn't it!

Clare

To end this thread - I tried all of the above. The Ukadex is particularly disgusting. But the two offending hens kept up the feather eating.

I contacted my supplier and agreed an exchange. It was after a lot of guilty feelings that I returned them, but I couldn't bear the thought of possibly 4 years of problems.

They have become part of the 'naughty flock' and their replacements are impeccably behaved.