Where can i get these anti peck bits from will only need 3. Thank you for your advice. Used spray to no effect.
See http://www.domesticfowltrust.co.uk/products/info_apb.html.
The bits are fitted into the chx nostrils. Make sure the ones you get are suited to the size of chickens you have. Typical large fowl hybrid or pure breed Layers are ok with the ones the Domestic Fowl Trust sell at £1 for 8. You may need help to fit them to hold the bird steady while you slip the ring under the top mandible and locate the ends in the nostrils without damaging them or impairing breathing. The ring prevents the beak fully closing so they can't grip feathers.
It will take a little time for the feathers to grow back. You will notice spikey quills form first which are filled with blood and it's these which attract the pecking. It's good to break this habit as it can lead to canablism. Don't worry that the chx at first seem to be bothered by the bits they soon get used to them and behave quite naturally and unaware of them in a short time and also it doesn't prevent them eating. You can leave them on for about 3 to 4 weeks but eventually they wear through or a small groove is worn in the beak which makes them ineffective and you may need to fit a replacement. Persist and they will work.
You can feed a supplement of extra protein to aid the feathers growing. Don't use cat food unless it is soaked dry food or tuna in brine (not oil) is Ok too. Stop feeding this when the feathers return as such foods aren't good in too large a volume or longterm.
Check out factors which might have caused this habit in the first place. Chief among these are:-
Boredom. Are you over feeding, particularly treats during the day? Chickens need low energy dense food having too highly processed food such as spaghetti for example will quickly fulfil their energy requirements and reduce their need to forage. Correctly formulated feed is low energy so they need to eat lots and often which ensures they are active and properly regulate their intake. Just like us too much fast food is bad. Make them scavange for their feed not have it plentifully to hand. An active bird doesn't have time to develop boredom habits.
Too crowded conditions. Allow them to free range when you are there and allow at least 2sqm per bird in the run. The house needs 200mm perch space per bird and it should not be a single pole (a mistake virutally all cheap import and many DIY houses commit) and birds should not have access to under perch areas where feather and vent picking is encouraged as well as being poor from a health perspective. Perches should be a grill of 4 to 6 minimum perching bars set 50 to 70mm apart where the droppings fall through onto a dropping area covered in litter, to soak it up to which the birds have no accesss.
Inadequate shade and shelter in the run so birds are encouraged to shelter in close proximity. Provide plenty of shade and shelter.
Having the feed and water in the house. Encouraging the birds to congregate in close proximity in the house during the day is bad. Hang feeders under cover in the run and drinkers on the ground raised above vent height.
Parasites as previously mentioned
Lack of protein If you are feeding a reputable layers pellet this should not be an issue so don't start to supplement protein without just cause. Generally this is not the issue I just mention it if you make your own feed or feed a lot of vegatables and household scraps. Don't spend a fortune on fancy feeds which promise this or that and claim to be specialised for a particular type of bird. That's all marketing hype designed to lure you into buying more expensive and probably inappropriately formulated feed. If they have a fancy bag and produce lots of different formulas it's all to persuade you and you should steer clear. A good main stream manufacturers feed is best such as Spillers, BOCM Paul, Marriages, etc. Protein off the top of my head should be around 5% or there abouts.
Best of luck
HF
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November 15, 2011, 18:35