If you were me…

[SemiSweet2391]

… and you were going out of town, would you get pinless peepers for the whole flock (8 birds) to spare the one that’s getting her crest pecked out, or find someone to watch her personally?

Deep sigh. Why do chickens love pecking out feathers.

 

[TOMTE]

Do they eat the feathers or just pluck them out? Feather eating could mean a deficiency, such as protein.

 

[SemiSweet2391]

Do they eat the feathers or just pluck them out? Feather eating could mean a deficiency, such as protein.

They are on 20% protein (grower). Once I saw a pullet eat a feather off the ground though. When they peck at my Polish they just are twisting out pin feathers.

 

[TOMTE]

They are on 20% protein (grower). Once I saw a pullet eat a feather off the ground though. When they peck at my Polish they just are twisting out pin feathers.

Oh, the poor thing I don't have any advice because I haven't had to deal with feather picking yet. But I've seen lots of people swear by pinless peepers.

 

[SemiSweet2391]

Oh, the poor thing I don't have any advice because I haven't had to deal with feather picking yet. But I've seen lots of people swear by pinless peepers.

Yeah I’m sad for her. She’s going to get her own space from now on, but I need a solution for the vacation :/

 

[SilverBirds]

How long are you going to be gone for? Is anyone watching your flock while you're away?

 

[SemiSweet2391]

How long are you going to be gone for? Is anyone watching your flock while you're away?

About 2 weeks. My neighbor will be coming over daily to collect eggs, check on them and their food/water etc. And I do have a friend who would be willing to watch my Polish separately. So I could do either.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

This is a tough one. If you remove her from the flock for two weeks you will have to re-integrate her when you return, or she could get pecked much worse than she is now. Are you set up for that? I imagine not, or you could just separate her while you are gone. Meanwhile, if your friend takes her, will she go straight into your friend's flock? How's that going to work? Or will she be isolated there? I think the pinless peepers sounds like the best idea.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Or ... she may do better in a flock of birds like herself, where her topknot does not set her apart so much.

 

[Ridgerunner]

She’s going to get her own space from now on, but I need a solution for the vacation

Since she will not be reintegrated get your friend to watch her. Get her own space ready as soon as you can.