[Lardman]

One of the girls has developed a nasty feather plucking / eating habit  It's obvious which one as the other 2 look oven ready  

There are treats and toys in the run and plenty of grit/shell. I can't seem to stop her so have bought some beak bits. After a bit of a struggle I've managed to get it on - but Im not convinced it will stop her and I'm a little concerned she wont be able to eat properly with it on.

Reassurance required... 

[sneezer]

Hi
I know exactly what you are going through I had a hen turn nasty and she attacked another hen, including severe feather pulling, I used a beak clip the white one which hooks under the top part of the beak, it took her a while to be able to drink but she soon got the hang of it, she got very frustrated when she couldn't pull the feathers, so in that respect it worked, however the bit made a groove in the bottom of her beak so she could eventually close her beak completely (approx. 2 weeks) so we took off the bit, she straight away started to pull the feathers again. We put another on her but that obviously didn't work as she could close her beak, we had to separate her with supervised visits to the others. She got better after about 4 months, but sadly a year later she is starting to pull feathers again 
Hope this helps and good luck
Sneezer

[Lardman]

Thanks Sneezer, I'll keep an eye on her beak for wear.  Im hoping it just a phase and she'll stop once the other pair have regained their feathers.  I don't have space to separate them anymore, if she continues something more drastic will have to be done. 

[cbv8]

I personally think this behaviour is a boredom thing had it with a few of my chucks in the past I notice my chucklets are starting feather plucking/eating when the vulnerable one is dust bathing. My cure is I have chicken wired all my garden off so they can be let out of the run and in the open to roam and pluck/peck grass plants etc but not each other My girls are spoilt rotten they get porridge every morning for breaky and when I'm a bit late with the porridge they growl at me they are like spoilt little children when they don't get there sweeties but we love them dearly go on spoil them let them roam    

[Sassy]

Unfortunately this behaviour can still occur when free ranging over large areas. It can be to do with a nutrient difficiency but can occur whatever - if only they could talk. 

[cbv8]

Unfortunately this behaviour can still occur when free ranging over large areas. It can be to do with a nutrient difficiency but can occur whatever - if only they could talk. 

Mine talk to me all the time

[8doubles]

Have you had a look at the hen spectacles ? Not sure if the are better for feeding , preening etc.
You may have to buy a 1000 from china !

[sneezer]

Maybe in some cases its boredom, but definitely not in mine, they have a 40 ft x 40 ft enclosure complete with bushes, trees and now lots of holes , and there were only 2 hens in there when she attacked the other, and previous to that they were inseparable, they literally were joined at the wing tip all the time. Its just one of those things you can't predict.
I hope your girl breaks her habit soon.

[8doubles]

Maybe in some cases its boredom, but definitely not in mine, they have a 40 ft x 40 ft enclosure complete with bushes, trees and now lots of holes , and there were only 2 hens in there when she attacked the other, and previous to that they were inseparable, they literally were joined at the wing tip all the time. Its just one of those things you can't predict.
I hope your girl breaks her habit soon.

OCD in the hen house !