[carolbriar]

I have 5 hens in a very large fixed run.  They have a few different things in the run - log, table etc which they can get onto and they have a dust bath.  I have found various feathers in the run over the last few weeks and assumed they were having a mini moult.  One hen in particular has had feathers missing around her neck for a while and for the first time today found one of the hens pecking and pulling out the odd feather.  Later on another hen had a go at pecking the same hen.  The pecked hen was broody a few weeks ago and is now back to laying most days.  They are all just over a year old.  The hen that I saw peck out the feather spat it out - she didn't eat it.  How can I stop this behaviour?  Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

[bantam novice]

Can't offer suggestions about stopping the behaviour but wish you all the best.  Good Luck!  I'm not very experienced but do you think this could be a sorting of the pecking order?  The other thing that springs to mind is to keep the purple spray ready in case you see any blood.

[carolbriar]

Hi Bantam novice.  I have the purple spray and will keep an eye on them again tomorrow.  I would say she is probably down at the bottom of the pecking order so it could be but I hadn't realised this was going on until today.  The feathers I have found in the run over the last couple of months have been from a variety of the hens.  Mainly from one hen at a time.  I just thought a mini moult which I would think is now probably unlikely.  I have just mixed up the food and flubenvet ready for tomorrow morning and will put frontline on them tomorrow just to cover everything.  I will probably put some of the purple spray on the pecked hen as well to make sure there isn't a problem.  I don't really know what else to do.  I might try and get some cd's up or a mirror to try and make sure they are occupied.  I did think about a sweet corn or three hung up but just remembered the flubenvet which means no treats   Any other suggestions please everyone.   

[Big Jen]

A good anti peck spray like Ukadex is needed to stop it before it gets any worse as they can do terrible damage.
Until you can get some, try some Vicks vapour rub spread on nice and thick- it works

Jenny

[evie2]

Is Vicks vapour rub safe Jenny?

[Big Jen]

Its commonly used by many breeders. I have used it on dutch bantams which I breed, and they feather peck a lot.  No ill effects. You can put it up your own nose so cant be harmful?
It doesnt smell as disgusting as Ukadex either but the chickens hate the taste and run round trying to rub it off their beaks.
Ukadex also works but stains the feathers badly and if you get it on yourself- YUK
I have also been told that aftershave or strong perfume works but have never tried it
Jenny

[evie2]

thanks Jenny I might try that 

[tedsdad]

I have also been told that aftershave or strong perfume works but have never tried it
Jenny


Vick sounds really good,never thought of that,not too sure about aftershave on damaged skin though,my mis-spent youth taught me that aftershave applied to some delicate areas stings like hell!