Nettex anti peck adverse effect

[MandS]

Our hens have started pecking each other. It started with one hen doing it to the others but it became a learned behaviour. So having read about what to do, I bought some Nettex Anti Peck Spray.

Today was the second time I have used it - 4 days since the first time. I followed the instructions and sprayed it in the open, away from the head and with the wind in the right direction.

Our small Araucana is badly pecked with a small bald patch near her tail and no feathers at all around her backside.

I went back after about 30 mins to find her unable to walk or keep herself upright. She was gasping a bit too. Looked like she was drunk. Couldn't lift her body up properly and then would sink down and one wing would go out to support herself from rolling over.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? The others are OK so I am wondering if the expanse of skin has meant she has absorbed spray. There's nothing on the container to say not to spray near skin - indeed it says it contains an antiseptic to help with minor cuts - which she hasn't any.

I have separated her and have her on her own. Gave her food and water and she ate the mash like she hadn't been fed for a week! She is still not right after an hour but it looks like she is getting a bit better.

Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Mr.Universe]

have you tried feeding her greens? neosporin goes a long way to stop pecking, the birds dont like the taste and can deter them from continuing and is safe if ingested

 

[MandS]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, they do get greens every day. This all started with one hen. She is not dominant, just pecks everyone's backside feathers. We are about to try the mackerel approach to give them protein, but I think it is just this one hen that has kicked this all off. They have been together for 2 years without issue up until now.

What is neosporin? Is this something we can get in the UK?

 

[Mr.Universe]

neosporin is available around the world. its an antibiotic ointment that doubles as a faux moisturizer in a pinch, accomplishes the same thing as vasaline but has a aweful taste. when i have a girl incessantly chewing on themselves or pecking others i apply neosporin to the areas for 2 reasons

1. they dont like the taste and is a deterrent

more importantly

2. its a antibiotic ointment which is a preventative measure shall a open wound or gash occur

EDIT: apparently antibiotics are not available in the UK as OTC even ointments. bactatracin is another option. if you have an equivilant ointment make sure to pay close attention to the ingredients. anything ending in CAIN is a pain releiver and is harmful to chickens

 

[Mr.Universe]

is this the area your hen is pecking at by chance, because this is what happens when things go bad

 

[MandS]

Hi and thanks for your help.

She has recovered and for anyone who has suffered the same thing, here is what happened:

We removed her from the flock. She was very unstable and not right at all. Let her rest for about 30 mins and then gave her a bath in a gentle shampoo mixture. I washed around all the area that we sprayed Nettex, particularly the skin.

Dried her off and then let her rest. Her appetite was fine but she was still wobbly but within about 2 hours, she sorted herself out.

Not using Nettex any more and will try to get some of the stuff you mention.

Her biggest issue now is that she is being terrorised by the others and is just hiding all the time. We made an apron for her which is at least saving her from being attacked.

Once again, thanks for the help.

 

[Mr.Universe]

untill she is healed keep her isolated. you will need about a week before shes ready to go back in, and you will need to re acclimate her to the rest of the birds. they see she has a injury, they will terrorize her till either they kill her, or she literally kills herself from starvation

 

[MandS]

Hi

Good call. I have her inside. She is basically terrified of the others now. Will keep her in for about a week and hope some of the feathers come back soon.

Thanks

 

[Mr.Universe]

the pick posted above, was just let back out in a run adjacent to the other babys to re acclimate to the group. he feathers have grown over her wounds and the feathers are slowly pushing back through though there was significant trauma to the area. her buddy (nala) is accompanying her due to feather pecking from the others. it may be beneficial to find a bird that gets along with your girl and bring that one inside as a companion, its easier to re acclimate 2 birds to a group as added protection, if things get heated the other will step in and take care of business

 

[MandS]

Wow, you are like a mindreader! That's exactly what we have done. They get along OK, in fact the pecked hen is the slightly more dominant of the two, yet the one she dominates is dominant to all but one of the others. Funny how this pecking order can be a circle. My thought too was that when I reintroduce, having her buddy going back in at the same time may mean the other 3 don't kick up too much fuss. If they do, then I will try separating the two more aggressive ones and keep them out for a while. Then when they go back, it may be calmer.

Thnig was, they were fine until about 8 weeks ago, having lived peacefully together for nearly 2 years. Don't know why it changed other than the pecked bird runs and that seems to encourage them to chase her.

Thanks again!