The Pecking order

BestBreast · « **on:** December 13, 2008, 09:56 »

Hi Guys, Jon here.....

We've had our 4 amberlinks from ann for 3/4 weeks now, getting good eggs (one is producing the best double yolkers, don't know which though!) at around 3 a day even though its nearly winter conditions.

The thing is we thought they had managed to arrange their own pecking order Marigold at the top followed by penny then matilda followed by betty. Now marigold has been pecking the other girls bottoms pulling out feathers and gobbling them up, figure this is just part of keeping the top spot but it seems not to be showing any sign of calming, the other girls are getting bold bums! We also think there maybe retaliation as Marigolds comb has been bleeding, we put some vaseline on there to protect it but am I right in saying this is just a pecking order argument and they will calm down. Any advice on treating the wound also appreciated.
Thanks

Jellyhead · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2008, 10:05 »

Personally I would try clean the wound a bit and then smother their bums in Tea Tree Cream. They hate the smell and taste and its an antiseptic. However, lots of peeps use the purple horsey spray cos it does the same thing

Good luck BB

BestBreast · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2008, 10:59 »

Thanks Jelly, now is there a name for the purple horsey stuf or will the peeps at CWG know what Im after?

Foxy · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2008, 11:09 »

Quote from: "BestBreast"

Thanks Jelly, now is there a name for the purple horsey stuf or will the peeps at CWG know what Im after?

Its called "purple spray" Its an antiseptic spray with a nasty taste!

Also, have you got oyster shell down? Pecking can be caused by boredom but also through lack of calcium which the base of feathers are rich in

woodburner · « **Reply #4 on:** December 13, 2008, 13:12 »

What are you feeding them? Could she be low on protein?

BestBreast · « **Reply #5 on:** December 13, 2008, 13:30 »

Feed is mainly layers pellets with multi grain corn mix on a morning afternoon swap over, they are given the occasional treat of ready brek with a little garlic powder (and I mean a little) toast, pasta and occasionally boiled till it's mush potato and carrot peel with a bit of onion.
They are usually out in the garden for an hour per day while we get the run built when they will be free to roam in and out of their coop and around the run. We have so many cats in the area we decided to extract an old plum tree and build a large 'avery' style run to keep the birds in and cats/foxes out. Work in this will be starting tomorow........

Foxy · « **Reply #6 on:** December 13, 2008, 18:14 »

Quote from: "Foxy"

Quote from: "BestBreast"
Thanks Jelly, now is there a name for the purple horsey stuf or will the peeps at CWG know what Im after?

Its called "purple spray" Its an antiseptic spray with a nasty taste!

Also, have you got oyster shell down? Pecking can be caused by boredom but also through lack of calcium which the base of feathers are rich in

sorry should have read "protein" not "calcium" :oops: :oops:

freda · « **Reply #7 on:** January 01, 2009, 21:13 »

I had episodes of feather pecking in autumn and Clara was particularly bald near ner bottom and bleeding. We got some stockholm tar and applied to the pecked area - it heals the wounds and also is a deterrent to the others as it smells vile! It is messy and gunky on the feathers but soon grows/gets preened out! Well worth it! Would highly recommend and needs only 1 or 2 applications.

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