My five girls all get on very well, no aggression at all and they all snuggle up to each other quite happily. However they do seem to peck each others necks a lot - throat area really. They all seem to tolerate this but some of them are really bald in that area. Is this just normal preening behaviour or should I be concerned?
Neck pecking
- Thread starter Anni D
- Start date
ColinB
New member
Indeed - the bit of baldness in one of mine is clearing up now they're allowed out.
chrismahon
Well-known member
Partial moulting of the neck feathers can be induced by stress, according to an article I read in Practical Poultry. Another article suggested feather pecking from boredom or due to a mineral deficiency, the latter being ruled out if good quality feed is being given. I have noticed hens peck wet feathers on other hens, the wet coming from drinking. We have some that suck dry the feathers on their cockerel as well. If it is wet neck feathers you could try raising the drinker AnniD, so water is less likely to splash down the front of them.
