Bald hen's and pecking, please help

[Yooperchicken]

First off I am new to this site and I'm hoping im posting this in the correct area. I just purchased 12 one year old hens ( Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpingtons, Silver Laced, Isa Browns, and one Americana). They came from a flock of 200 hens with one rooster. Most of them have bald butts and backs and the Reds/Browns seem to be the ones instigating the pecking. But even the reds/browns have naked butts. Could the hens be pecking their own feathers out? or is the baldness all from the others pecking? They have a large coop now and run for just the 12 of them, so with more space and no competition for food/room will the pecking stop? Most never stopped laying, Ive only noticed the Americana not laying yet. Any info would help, and thanks

-Yooperchicken

 

[Judy]

The first thing I would do is check them closely for lice / mites. There's a good chance they are present, coming from a flock of that size, unless they have been treated recently. You need Sevin 5% garden dust. Here's a link to show you what to look for and for details of treatment. If you have trouble getting your hands on them, pick them up off the roost at night, one at a time. Make a "powder puff" for the Sevin out of an old nylon stocking and pat it on, or put each bird in a paper grocery bag up to her neck with some dust, and gently roll her around. You can also buy permethrin/pyrethrin spraay and spray them. You can use Adams flea and tick spray, or "poultry spray" or dust from the feed store, with these ingredients.

They could also be picking out each others' feathers, yes. This is usually caused by some combination of too little protein, too little space, and boredom. It might be difficult to stop, even with thier having plenty of space now, just because it's a habit, I suppose.

Here are some links I hope will help.

http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html

http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/featherpicking.htm

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/517547/peepers-removed-and-no-feather-picking-d/0_20#post_6586027

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/697052/i-think-i-found-a-miracle-cure-for-feather-picking/0_20

 

[MarcoPollo]

I have 6 Buff Orpingtons, all hens. And ALL of them have bare butts. This has been since 6 or 7 months ago. One of them was also losing back feathers so she has been separated for about 5 weeks now. I was getting so upset to see that the isolated hen wasn't growing back her feathers, but about 2 days ago, I noticed feather growth IS happening. It's a very slow process though. There are about 10 feathers growing near her vent, and her back feathers are 50% better. She still looks ugly though

None of the hens are sick or unable to lay eggs.
Definitely treat for mites/lice!! I had a BAD mite infestation. Take precautions against that happening.
I don't know if my hens will ever look normal again. I have tried to offer them higher protein foods, but they are not good eaters of things like scrambled egg and meats. They will eat yogurt and black oil sunflower seeds though! I hang up treat feeders and give them Flock Block and tough vegetables to occupy their time with. But that only helps so much.
I am reluctantly considering finding a new home for half of the hens since I can only conclude that they do not have enough space to get away from each other. They have learned to pick feathers from one another and it is now a habit. I thought they had PLENTY of room, but they are proving that this is not true. Here's their coop and run.



It's frustrating, but I still love my chickens. Besides the feather loss, they seem to be happy and are always so sweet and docile towards me. If only they could be that way towards each other