pecking head feathers - please help

[Fancypants1]

I went out to check the chickens after work and noticed that one of my White Crested Polish had her head feathers pecked off. We have 3 White Crested Polish, a Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, Buff Brahma and an Egyptian Fayoumi that are all 11 weeks old. I am not sure which one is pecking her. She has (had) the biggest head feathers of the 3 polish chickens.

I changed their food about a week ago from chick starter to Poultry Grower / Finisher Crumblet, they get plenty of fresh fruit and veggies every day and they have access to enough water. I have a cabbage hanging for them too.

I did notice last night that 6 of the birds are sleeping on top of the nest boxes (highest point of coop) and the one that got pecked is sleeping alone on a lower rooster. She is defiantly the outcast. They have all grown up together since I got them from a hatchery the day they were hatched.

I put some antibacterial ointment on her wound and rubbed some Vick Vabor Rub on her back last night. This morning her head looked a little better (less red and not as swollen).

Please let me know what more I can do for her. Is this done out of boredom, just the pecking order or something else? I am new at raising/keeping chickens.

Please help!!!

 

[Judy]

Feather picking in general is usually ascribed to too little space, boredom or too little protein. However, it is very common for larger birds to pick the feathers off Polish or similar birds, ones with "top knots." You may find they cannot live together peacefully.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/back-to-basic-living-feather-picking-plucking-and-cannibalism

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/697052/i-think-i-found-a-miracle-cure-for-feather-picking/0_20 (there are many threads on the subject here)

 

[Fancypants1]

Why is it just all of a sudden? They have been together since day 1 with no issues. They are only 11 weeks old so I am not sure adding protein to their diet will effect them in a bad way.

 

[mightymax]

It's probably been going on since day 1 and you may not have noticed because it was so subtle when they were younger. A new flock always has to establish a pecking order and unfortunately that means that there's always someone at the top...and someone at the bottom. Also, as previously mentioned, any breed with a topknot is more prone to be seen with a bloodied head. I can't attest to what chickens actually 'think', but I will say that some of those headpieces do occasionally resemble a strutting plate of delicious worms...hehe!!! Hopefully it will all work out, but in the meantime, keep an eye out for anyone who appears with blood on them. Sometimes chickens are terribly mean and once blood is drawn they'll all band together and peck the poor thing to death. Once I started letting mine out to free-range every day, all the internal strife and struggles disappeared and I now have a harmonious group of 10. Good luck.

 

[Fancypants1]

God I wish I could free range but we have too many wild animals lurking (day & night). Thanks for the good info. I will just keep an eye on her and see how she heals. Anyone ever try Blue Kote to help keep the pecking down?

 

[mightymax]

Blu-kote is fine to use for a few days to help the healing process and discourage unwanted pecking. Using it beyond that though could cause some skin irritation, etc. Besides, since the issue seems to be behavioral, it will hopefully resolve on its own without much assistance from you. Have fun with your chicks! They're awesome!

 

[DebbieGall]

try peck no more I just got some for mine it was recommended by the folks at the feed store and one of the vet students.

 

[Judy]

I'd say you've gotten some good answers. Certainly 11 weeks should be too young to be affected by protein issues. I would bet a lot that a larger forage space with grass and weeds would solve it, though I realize this is difficult to provide for many people. I'd do all I can to provide variety: add items to jump up on or hide in or under, move them around, hang a cabbage for them to peck t pieces (realizing this will decrease their protein intake a little for those days,) etc.

 

[Fancypants1]

Just an update. I went home yesterday and made a little "Chicken Hospital" for her. I will keep her in there until her wound gets better. The other girls can still see and hear her so putting her back into the mix should be less stressful for the group. I also added a perch, big block of seed and a dust bath to keep them entertained in the run. The lady at the feed store said that I should let them out of the run to free range about 1/2 hour before they usually head into the coop for the night. I am worried that they will run away or not go back in. Are they smart enough to know to go back? I am also concerned that once I start letting them out at night for a little while they will always head to the gate of the run thinking they can go out even in the morning when I open their pop door. I just don't want to start a bad habit or get stuck in the run with them LOL.

 

[mightymax]

WOW!!! That 'hospital' setup looks nicer than the 'human' one I just had surgery in !!! That's smart of you to put her in something and place her within sight and sound of the rest of your flock. It will make integrating her back in so much easier for everyone. My only question is, if you have any larger sized predators where you live (foxes, raccoons, etc.), will that exercise pen be fortified enough to keep them out? Responding to the chicken intelligence issue, I think the jury's still out on that one...lol !!! But, IMO, yes, chickens that have been in the same coop for a while are usually smart enough to know to return to it at night. I only say 'usually' because, just as in humans, there are exceptions.

And while I am generally in support of any idea that will provide chickens with some free-range time, I'm not so sure that I agree with the feed store employee's specific suggestion. That's because I don't know enough about your particular coop setup and chicken/predator dynamics to give you an informed opinion. I can only offer suggestions based on my experiences. In that regard, where I'm located, the hours immediately proceeding dusk and dawn are some of the most prime hunting hours for our local predators. This might not be so in your area. Only you know the answer to that. As for staving off boredom, the ideas are limitless. I've given mine everything from a parrots jungle gym, melon slices inside a treat ball, mirrors and hanging pie tins (they really seem to enjoy these) to whole branches with leaves that I've trimmed from our own trees (nutritional, fun and easily replaced once pecked to shreds). Of course my partner says that 'I'M' their favorite toy and that they have me wrapped around their little claws...which they probably do!!! Have fun, take care and keep us posted on your chicks recovery.