3 chickens with raw butts, 1 bleeding.

[gbartha]

I have 5 chickens that range in age and breeds. Two are barred rock mixes and 3 are buffs. 3 of them have pecked butts with two of them bleeding. One is pecked clean. Could it be a lack of protein? They are on 16% protein layer food.

 

[CWP1966]

Same problem here but it's only on my dark colored hens. Buffs and White Rocks look fine. I was bad about giving them too much scratch. I was using 16% crumbles. I've switched to 20% flock raiser. I looked them over good for mites at night with a flashlight, didn't see anything.

 

[chickens really]

I have 5 chickens that range in age and breeds. Two are barred rock mixes and 3 are buffs. 3 of them have pecked butts with two of them bleeding. One is pecked clean. Could it be a lack of protein? They are on 16% protein layer food.

Exactly....Protein......I feed a mix of Grower and layer at 50/50.........Until my Birds are 1 years old and then finisher 50/50 mixed with layer till hard molt...Then Grower and after first egg I go back to the 50/50 layer and finisher....


Cheers!

 

[BantamLover21]

Protein level could be a factor, though plenty of people (including me) feed 16% protein feed with no feather problems. Others give their birds extra protein (20% +) and see no improvement in feather condition. Still, it wouldn't hurt to try feeding your hens a gamebird grower feed or chick starter/grower feed with at least 20% protein, and see what happens.

I'd also make sure none of the birds have mites or lice, since those can lead to irritation and feather picking. It might be a good idea to observe the flock for a while and see if it is other birds picking out the feathers--occasionally, chickens will bully a few birds and cause damage.

 

[chickens really]

I have 5 chickens that range in age and breeds. Two are barred rock mixes and 3 are buffs. 3 of them have pecked butts with two of them bleeding. One is pecked clean. Could it be a lack of protein? They are on 16% protein layer food.

Also look up thrush.......Not sure, but worth a look.....


Cheers!

 

[gbartha]

no mites but I will look again. Someone suggested spraying them with Blu kote. I have very fine chick starter/grower. Should I buy crumbles or can I mix the fine mix with the pellets?