[lina]

Hi all

Was beginning chill-out about the ex-batts...but the pecking order has been reversed.

To begin with Nesta would bully the other two - particularly over the food but it was just headbutts & light pecking. Vesta has suddenly started picking on her friend Esther in a really sadistic way. Est is the smallest and had the least feathers when they arrived - but is growing a lovely new set that are just poking through the skin at the moment. Vesta just can't resist pecking, pulling and chasing her - and she looks possessed when she does it! She been in solitary confinement on the lawn most of the day.

Does removing the bully help or make it worse? Its not just in the run / house but also when they freerange together. Est just makes so much noise it sounds like she's being murdered and she looks really stressed out. 

I know they've been through a lot of changes over past 3 weeks, but they were a harmonius (if naughty) trio. Is it best to leave them to it - or to intervene and seperate them?

Lina x

[Spadefighter]

Im sure an expert will be along soon, but as far as I know as long as blood isnt drawn they should be left to get on with it and establish the natural order. If they are really going to hurt one another then I would seperate them but keep them in line of sight so that the pecking order process doesnt start over again when they are reintroduced. The sight of blood sends them nuts and they will attack the wound so be a bit vigilant!

[Roughlee Handled]

You could try Stockholm Tar as this will give the pecking bird a bad taste in her mouth when she eats/pecks.
http://www.chicken-house.co.uk/acatalog/Stockholm_Tar_450g.html

Chickens are attracted to the colour red (blood colour) as Spadefighter says "he sight of blood sends them nuts and they will attack the wound" If you do get any blood then spray with purple spray
http://www.croftequestrian.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=169
https://www.chicken-house.co.uk/acatalog/Gentian_Violet_Spray_anti_peck_spray.html

it takes the colour way (masks the red).

[Aunt Sally]

Purple spray is often effective.  I have stockholm tar and have used it once to stop pecking (if you use the spray on type be warned - wear a bin bag and rubber golves  ). 

I'm not sure I'd use it again because although it smells and tastes bad and the pecking will stop, I worry that it will distress the sprayed bird as it would be very unpleasant for preening 

[Roughlee Handled]

I never thought about the  preening bit.  I suppose it would be forced to eat with your fingers while wearing nail bite.

[Aunt Sally]

You've gotta think like a chicken Ruff