[Mickey2stroke]

I've got 6 chickens on my plot which is a shed and a run 5mx4m, plenty big enough for them.  They have started to peck the feather off each others tail so that some of them have a bald behind.

If they manage to peck a feather out  they all run after each other until one manages to wolf it down!

Any ideas as I'm getting worried about sunburn where the feathers are missing?

[susan - happy hens]

Hi, You could try the anti pecking spray and if that doesn't work get beak bits (follow the link on the useful stickies).  It's awful to watch, I know.

[henamoured]

You could try a protein boost too - I've read that they sometimes feather peck if they're short on protein - scrambled egg, small amount of tuna? Also could try confining diet to layers pellets only - no treats - for a few days to ensure they're getting everything they need.
Might also give them something new to distract them - a mirror? Bucket of compost to dig through?
Pecking spray on bare areas should protect from sunburn.

[sneezer]

Hi there not sure if I've worked this out right but I don't think your area is large enough, the minimum recommendation is 3ft square per bird which is just over 1 meter sq., but on this forum they say twice that area is needed, can you enlarge the run?

[jhub]

Hi there not sure if I've worked this out right but I don't think your area is large enough, the minimum recommendation is 3ft square per bird which is just over 1 meter sq., but on this forum they say twice that area is needed, can you enlarge the run?

Hiya sneezer
if i remember my schoolday math 5x4 is 20 square meters so not to worry as each hen has in excess of 3 square meters

[grumpydad]

ukadex spray is very good, but very smelly, was used as a last resort, and it worked, no one went near the hen we sprayed.

[Big Jen]

Try a bit of Vick vapour rub, works a treat.
Jenny