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Hi

I have 3 rescue chooks which we had back in July.

All settled in really well but one (Flo) who is the biggest is somewhat of a bully. Shes definitely the boss about town and she is constantly plucking the feathers off the other two (Dot and Mo) from the botties, backs and necks. Flo has now grown all her feathers back but the other two are still looking somewhat unkept. She also has to have everything they have and they seem to let her. They do tend to stay out of her way where possible.

Can anyone suggest how to combat this as the girls backs a looking a little sore from constantly being pecked.

I havent got a spare run to pop flo in out of the other girls way and because I work 9-5 Mon to Fri can only let them out in the back garden of a evening and weekend.

I really feel for the other two girls as every time they try and do a bit of sunbathing or dust bathing, Flo is straight over and disturbs them by either plucking a feather or just pushing them out of the way.

Is there anything I can do? (I dont want to get rid of Flo as she is a rescue after all and all deserve a bit of a life)

Thanks

Mew x

Hi
It sounds like they are still establishing their pecking order. The chances are that they will settle in, just give them time. Mine have all gone through the same thing. The last batch of ex-bats I had settled in quite quickly but the ones I got in July are still fighting now. They do seem to be worse when they are bored.

You could try putting food in different parts of the run so that if Flo chases them off one feeder, the others can still eat from somewhere else. I chuck pellets on the ground so that the bossy one has to work for her food. It takes her mind off the others. Do they have places that they can hide from each other? I put some cardboard boxes in the hen house last time which they could hide behind to keep out of each others' way. It seemed to help.

Zoe

Hi Mew! You could try putting some purple spray on the affected areas....chooks don't like the taste and tend to leave well alone!

Hi
Silly question - but what is purple spray and where can I get it from?

I will try the cardboard boxes I think.

They have 3 feed bowls, one hanging the centre and the other 2 at opposite ends of the run and two water bowls too.

Might try throwing more on the floor instead of simply just filling up the bowls

Thats for advice x

mew x

It can be bought at most country stores...especially ones that deal with horses. It's gentian violet....stuff that was used years ago on kids with impetigo and similar problems. :)

yep purple spray wonderful stuff you will get it from any horsey place and probably you local vets or try an animal chemist on the tinternet as they tend to be cheeper works well on cuts to you as well but stings a bit (loads actually) i think it is iodine based