Bare bottom/breast (plucked?)

[Getuclu4u]

I have 2 Orpington, one Rhode Island red and one Plymouth Rock that are missing feathers around their backside near vent and one that is absent many of their breast feathers in addition to around the vent. They are eating and not broody and have plenty of space. Thoughts? It is cold and they turn red In The cold! I have 2 nesting boxes one with a plastic mat, the other with wood chips.

 

[sourland]

One or more birds in the flock are feather plucking the 'naked' birds. Generally it is the most pristine bird in the flock.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Agreed. It's feather picking.
Do they go outside?

I would like to see a better photo of you Barred Rock's bottom. Does she have a discharge from the vent?

 

[Getuclu4u]

Agreed. It's feather picking.
Do they go outside?

I would like to see a better photo of you Barred Rock's bottom. Does she have a discharge from the vent?

I’ll get a better pic. No discharge that I have seen. They have an outdoor run.

 

[Getuclu4u]

Here you go. They have a spring/summer “cottage” and their winter one. I can isolate the pecked ones. I would need to insulate the summer cottage so they would have less draft with the temps predicted to be in the low teens.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Here you go. They have a spring/summer “cottage” and their winter one. I can isolate the pecked ones. I would need to insulate the summer cottage so they would have less draft with the temps predicted to be in the low teens.

How much space do you have in the winter cottage?
Sometimes they do just pick at one another, but re-evaluate how much roosting space they have and their diet.
What protein % is your feed and what else do they get daily (treats). It is very easy to dilute the protein content that get daily, they are such beggars.

I would leave them in the winter cottage at this time since the weather is turning. You can put BluKote on there if you wish. I would also feel of that spot (cup your hand under the vent between the legs) and compare her to some of your other hens - see if that if fuller than the others.

 

[Getuclu4u]

How much space do you have in the winter cottage?
Sometimes they do just pick at one another, but re-evaluate how much roosting space they have and their diet.
What protein % is your feed and what else do they get daily (treats). It is very easy to dilute the protein content that get daily, they are such beggars.

I would leave them in the winter cottage at this time since the weather is turning. You can put BluKote on there if you wish. I would also feel of that spot (cup your hand under the vent between the legs) and compare her to some of your other hens - see if that if fuller than the others.

The winter side is where they all roost, now that it is cold. There are 3 bars 3.5 ft across with staggered heights. I can adjust to give more space. Depending on which level, they can be easy targets...
We feed 18%protien layer feed and only give them 2 handfuls of scratch grains and a handful of mealworms up to 2x per day.

 

[Getuclu4u]

The winter side is where they all roost, now that it is cold. There are 3 bars 3.5 ft across with staggered heights. I can adjust to give more space. Depending on which level, they can be easy targets...
We feed 18%protien layer feed and only give them 2 handfuls of scratch grains and a handful of mealworms up to 2x per day.

we have 10 chickens

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Try adjusting the roosts to see if that helps.

 

[micstrachan]

I agree it’s a plucking issue. Moving roosts around so they can’t reach each other’s bottoms so easily is a great idea. You might also consider adding some daytime enrichment to the run (a couple shovels full of dirt to dig through, stumps to stand on, etc.) My chicks s’ all time favorite activity is scratching through rice hulls. It can keep them busy for hours!