fiddleleaffarm
Chirping
- May 4, 2023
- 14
- 30
- 51
I have a young Welsummer, about 3 months old. I got her around 6-weeks from a hatchery and she came with a couple of bald spots on her sides. She adjusted well and is really sweet and curious. However, she has continued to pluck her feathers on her back and she is bald and has had a couple of bloody spots. My other olive egger that came with her definitely pecks at her a bit, but the Welsummer pushes her off. It’s mostly self-pecking at this point.
I bought a saddle for her but it’s too big. I have been spraying Vetericyn and using Rooster Booster Pick No More lotion. I’ve used some quick-stop dust on feathers I’ve seen bleeding. The lotion seems to really bother her, she gets stressed when I put it on and paces a lot and seems to still peck (but less). Have also used HydroHen in their water as directed.
The two of them are in a 66sqft run with lots of perches and a few toys. Flooring is sand with First Saturday Lime. Run and coop cleaned every day or every other day. They have clean water and food. They generally seem comfortable, but I feel like the Welsummer is stressed and that’s why she’s plucking!! I don’t think it’s a protein deficiency because they are on starter/grower feed.
So, I’m wondering what I can do to help break the habit of pecking. Wait until she gets more settled in her new space? Continue the lotion/spray? Add more toys/entertainment in the run? Try another saddle? Increase protein? Other ideas? Added a few photos. The second one is when I first got her. Others are more recent. I feel like she has plucked some of the newer ones that were coming in in this photo. Help!!
I bought a saddle for her but it’s too big. I have been spraying Vetericyn and using Rooster Booster Pick No More lotion. I’ve used some quick-stop dust on feathers I’ve seen bleeding. The lotion seems to really bother her, she gets stressed when I put it on and paces a lot and seems to still peck (but less). Have also used HydroHen in their water as directed.
The two of them are in a 66sqft run with lots of perches and a few toys. Flooring is sand with First Saturday Lime. Run and coop cleaned every day or every other day. They have clean water and food. They generally seem comfortable, but I feel like the Welsummer is stressed and that’s why she’s plucking!! I don’t think it’s a protein deficiency because they are on starter/grower feed.
So, I’m wondering what I can do to help break the habit of pecking. Wait until she gets more settled in her new space? Continue the lotion/spray? Add more toys/entertainment in the run? Try another saddle? Increase protein? Other ideas? Added a few photos. The second one is when I first got her. Others are more recent. I feel like she has plucked some of the newer ones that were coming in in this photo. Help!!