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Help! Red Bottomed Girls! Pics Added.

post #1 of 5
3/19/12 at 6:55pm
Thread Starter 

  DSC_0580.JPG         I thought this was due to the overactive roo, but he was sent to the freezer almost 3 weeks ago!

 

Any ideas? I have checked them for mites and cant find anything.

 

DSC_0584.JPG

 

DSC_0582.JPG

 

 

 


Edited by nuttyredhead - 3/19/12 at 7:08pm
Beth
Mama to 5 kids, 1 cat, 1 dog and 16 Chickens!
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Beth
Mama to 5 kids, 1 cat, 1 dog and 16 Chickens!
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post #2 of 5
3/20/12 at 3:12am

That's not typical roo damage, which is usually on their back (the top of the chicken.)  Looks like feather picking.  I'd double check for mites / lice, too, including at night.

 

http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8162.pdf

 


My chickens are pecking/eating each other's feathers:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=34705
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=31291
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=36139
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=30486

Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

BYC Troubleshooting article -- click here

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Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

BYC Troubleshooting article -- click here

Reply
post #3 of 5
3/20/12 at 4:21am
  • CMV
  • Golden Feathers
  • Flock Mistress

I am going to agree with Flockwatcher on this one.  You have some feather picking going on.  Increase their protein intake by switching from layer feed to grower feed.  Treat them to some BOSS for another protein source.

 

Then start observing them.  You are likely going to need to separate the worst of the offenders for a couple weeks.  Do it quickly.  This is a habit that spreads through the flock and before you know it you have half the flock ripping out feathers.

 

Good luck.

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post #4 of 5
3/20/12 at 5:00am
Thread Starter 

Thank you both. I do have 2 girls in Chicken jail, and I have some chicken aprons on the way so hopefully it will give them time to regrow. I will switch to grower and pick up some boss and see if it helps.

 

How long do i need to keep the picker locked up?

Beth
Mama to 5 kids, 1 cat, 1 dog and 16 Chickens!
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Beth
Mama to 5 kids, 1 cat, 1 dog and 16 Chickens!
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post #5 of 5
3/20/12 at 5:30am
  • CMV
  • Golden Feathers
  • Flock Mistress

At least a couple weeks.  You want the other birds to forget her so when she re-enters the flock she will be like a new bird.  Hopefully, she will be so busy protecting herself that she won't have the opportunity to pick at the other girls.  If the behavior continues then she will keep needing to be locked up until she is re-educated.  It's a tough habit to break, I won't lie.  I tried everything last year when dealing with the same issue.  I ended up having to cull the highest tier of my pecking order out to stop it.  I never could get them to stop.  I had one low girl that was able to be saved.  She is still with the flock.

 

 

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