Help! Bullying and feather loss...

andreadon · « **on:** January 17, 2009, 16:19 »

Sandra has always been the bottom of the pecking order, but it seems that she's now being bullied properly.
She won't go anywhere near the feeder when the others are there and if one of them comes up while she's there she walks away.
Erica keeps having a go at her quite maliciously.
We've also noticed a lot of feathers on the floor of the house and on the ground of the run.
She has just been on a course of anti-biotics for a cold and general grumpiness.
Could this be the reason the others are being so mean?

and are the feathers because she's moulting or are they being pulled out? (there are loads).
could the moulting cause the others to be mean?

Even her ex-batt colleague Rita keeps pushing her away from the food.

Is there anything that can be done?

linzechris · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2009, 16:58 »

I dont know much I'm afraid but I have some ex batts that I have had since August and they too picked on one particular girl and pulled her feathers out and made her bleed poor thing. She too was not well and that made them worse towards her. However, there is definately a pecking order and one has to be lowest and will not eat etc if the others are eating until they are finished.

It seems strange and sad to us but I think it's just the way they are.
Someone else will come on soon that actually knows what they are talking about and they will advise you.

mumsy · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2009, 17:29 »

You need to put more feeders & drinkers about so that she gets a chance to eat, spray her with purple spray on the featherless parts, it should stop them having a go. Perhaps hang up some greens to keep them busy.

andreadon · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2009, 18:45 »

thanks, guys.

It's relief to know that the lowly one always waits for food.

We'll deffo put extra feeders around.

Adam's hung some cds up around the run to distract them.

Sandra hasn't got any bald patches yet, but we'll get some purple spray for when she does - better to be prepared.

Jellyhead · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2009, 19:02 »

The spray also puts them off pecking her cos they hate the taste and smell

andreadon · « **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2009, 19:37 »

Quote from: "Jellyhead"

The spray also puts them off pecking her cos they hate the taste and smell

what about preening? Sandra still scratches at the feathers when she's sorting herself out. Won't it make her retch?

mumsy · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2009, 19:57 »

No, it doesn't seem to effect themselves

linzechris · « **Reply #7 on:** January 17, 2009, 20:13 »

Yes I sprayed my girl Hattie with the purple spray and it definately helps. Apparently they pick on red but the purple puts them off.

linzechris · « **Reply #8 on:** January 17, 2009, 20:15 »

p.s. I also gave her extra food and hand fed her quite a lot. It's funny but the weaker they are the more you love them

Snowy Howells · « **Reply #9 on:** January 17, 2009, 23:32 »

The others seem to know when one is off colour and will pick on it more

As said above, a bit of one to one treatment and hopefully she will pick up again. One of mine went really off colour when she moulted and went right to the bottom of the pecking order. I've been feeding her up away from the others and she appears to be perking up again now!

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