Bald crops

[Silkie Princess]

Hi! I have a few 1-year-old laying hens. Some of them have plucked out breast feathers. They also have chewed wings and tail feathers. I figured out it could maybe be a nutrient deficiency. It is now around 4 months that they have the chewed feathers and plucked out breasts. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[sourland]

How much space do they have? Feather pecking/plucking frequently starts as a result of overcrowding and boredom.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

How many birds do you have? How large is your run? How many feeders and drinkers do you have?

 

[Silkie Princess]

11 hens and 3 silkie roosters. They have 2 feeders and 1 drinker. Not really sure how big the run is. I'm going to measure it right now.

 

[Silkie Princess]

How large is your run?

24 meters. I am planing to make it bigger this weekend. Although they do free range most of the time

 

[PippinTheChicken]

it could be competition for resources: food, water, space etc

 

[LaFleche]

11 hens and 3 silkie roosters. They have 2 feeders and 1 drinker. Not really sure how big the run is. I'm going to measure it right now.

Here you have it: One rooster would suffice. With 3 roosters for only 11 hens they will mate more often due to rivalry and leave the hens balding on head, back and wings.

 

[Silkie Princess]

Here you have it: One rooster would suffice. With 3 roosters for only 11 hens they will mate more often due to rivalry and leave the hens balding on head, back and wings.

Thank you very much for the information! That's probably the problem. Although only one rooster mates with the hens. The other two are scared of them.