Bald chicks

[Hatchaholik]

Hi, looking for some help! My almost 2month old chicks have bald backs, no pecking going on and no feathers in brooder!! What is this and what should I do about it? Thank you!

 

[sourland]

It sure looks like feather plucking/eating. How much space do they have ?

 

[Gray Farms]

Agreed. They are plucking and eating the feathers. Its likely from lacking enough protein in their diet, boredom, or overcrowding. What are you feeding? What are the dimensions of the brooder? How many chicks in the brooder?

 

[Hatchaholik]

Brooder is 8x4 and there are 12 in there. So, need to get their coop done!! They are eating a hatch to hen crumble, payback brand.

 

[danceswithronin]

Give them something to do to distract them. Throw in a bunch of handfuls of pulled weeds, throw in live crickets, put some branches in there for them to practice roosting on, anything to alleviate boredom and give them positive outlets for their energy other than feather-picking. Mine also liked cat toys (those plastic balls with bells in them).

 

[Gray Farms]

What is the protein percentage of your feed?

 

[Ebony Rose]

If you've got them on grit, then finely grind dry rice & dried split peas as a treat. This will increase their lysine & methionine amino acids; both are used by birds to (re)build feathers. A day or two with a bit of unsweetened yogurt will jump start their gut bacteria, and make the peas taste better. Serve this as a TREAT (no more than 10% of their total dietary intake) as both the rice and peas have less than adequate overall protein, but are exceptionally high in those amino acids that they may be lacking. If your feed is low on overall protein, might grind up some dry catfood along with the rice & peas to boost it.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

Give them something to do to distract them. Throw in a bunch of handfuls of pulled weeds, throw in live crickets, put some branches in there for them to practice roosting on, anything to alleviate boredom and give them positive outlets for their energy other than feather-picking. Mine also liked cat toys (those plastic balls with bells in them).

This. I go out every couple days and do a yard sweep. I grab leaves, grass, branches, etc.

 

[Hatchaholik]

What is the protein percentage of your feed?

What is the protein percentage of your feed?

 

[Gray Farms]

Protein is ok. Must be boredom and crowding then.