[oborne27]

I have a problem with some new RIR bantams which are feather pecking.
Apart from the usual anti peck spray etc has anyone read and done the salt treatment as outlined in the wisconsin experiment? it says to put 1 tablespoon of salt into 1 gallon of water for the morning (replaced in the afternoon with fresh) and repeated after 3 days.

anythoughts on if this would work would be appreciated.

Geoff

[joyfull]

never used this method and personally I would prefer not to give my chickens any extra salt as salt can be bad for them. If the anti peck stuff (perhaps you need something stronger such as ukadex) and if that still doesn't work then confine the bully to isolation for a few days or if you have more than one doing it then fit beak clips 

[Aunt Sally]

What's the salt supposed to do ?

[ehs284]

Can't think of a mechanism by which salt intake would stop pecking.

[oborne27]

Hi all,
thanks for your replies. its hard for me to answer your questions about the salt but the article that I have been forwarded reads as below:

[i][And if all else fails, you can use the Salt Cure outlined in the Wisconsin Experiment Station Bulletin #455. In it we are told to put 1 tablespoon of salt per gallon of water in the flocks water for just one morning. Replace with fresh water in the afternoon. Repeat in three days. This, plus the other remedies above should cure all feather picking.

[Aunt Sally]

Well I certainly wouldn't do it unless I knew why it worked and what any of the side effects were.

I do know that excess salt is very bad for birds as they have a problem getting rid of it from their bodies.

[oborne27]

Sounds as bit dodgy so until I know more i'll try other things.
I have just ordered Ukadex so will give this a try when it arrives -hopefully on thursday.

thanks again for all your help.

[ehs284]

Intrigued, I found this : http://www.sabong.net.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=565

It is basically looking at micronutrient deficiencies which makes sense, but I've no idea if the American pellets are the same as ours and the pecking in the experiment seems to be more serious vent pecking and cannabalism in birds which can't forage. The tonics which many people here use, as do we, seem to contain the elements needed, so perhaps addition of this to their water as well as the Ukadex might help.

[oborne27]

Thanks everyone.
On advice from my vet (the pecking was quite bad as there was one of my girls with a bleed and I panicked a bit) I have started the salt treatment. it appears to be helping as there is a great reduction in pecking. I am also using violet spray and anti peck spray. the ukadex will arrive tomorrow so will swap to this.
They all seem to be happy - eating well, sun bathing, scratching around etc.
I am using poultry drink in there water also (only started that today).
Hopefully this will sort out the problem and will keep you posted.

thanks again for all your help and ideas.
Geoff

[Aunt Sally]

Did your vet say what the salt did to stop pecking ?

[oborne27]

He thought it increased the minor nutrients available to the chicken. Also it 'reset' and improved their motabalism thereby decreasing the need for extra proteins (one of the reasons why they feather peck). Higher salt content in the blood improves nutrient uptake - or so he said.
He did say that it hadn't had any medical trialsbut had seen it work in other flocks - mainly on farms.

I hope that helped.

[Aunt Sally]

Thanks for theninformation oborne27.  I will bear it in mind.

[GrannieAnnie]

Thanks everyone.
On advice from my vet (the pecking was quite bad as there was one of my girls with a bleed and I panicked a bit) I have started the salt treatment. it appears to be helping as there is a great reduction in pecking. I am also using violet spray and anti peck spray. the ukadex will arrive tomorrow so will swap to this.
They all seem to be happy - eating well, sun bathing, scratching around etc.
I am using poultry drink in there water also (only started that today).
Hopefully this will sort out the problem and will keep you posted.

thanks again for all your help and ideas.
Geoff

When you get your UKADEX Geoff, be careful not to get it on you!!!

1.  It stinks!
2.  It stains!
3.  It is hard to remove the smell from your hands!

I know, been there, done that, got the stained T-shirt!!   

[darkbrowneggs]

Hi - I always have dried and ground natural seaweed available for my chooks to help themselves from.
 
Apparently seaweed contains all the minerals they need, and if they have a deficiency they just eat more

All the best
sue

[8doubles]

Hi - I always have dried and ground natural seaweed available for my chooks to help themselves from.
 
Apparently seaweed contains all the minerals they need, and if they have a deficiency they just eat more

All the best
sue

Which kind of seaweed is best, i catch plenty of wrack and kelp and a fair bit of lettuce and bootlace when sea fishing.
If i bring a bagful home it  will mean it wasn`t a totally blank trip.