Bare Butts

[Welshies]

Please read this article. I already posted it but I do not think you read it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/why-you-should-stop-feeding-layer-feed-now.73535/

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It is only hens and not all of them...I have notice that the two ducks we have in there with them are getting more aggressive so I wouldn't rule out feather plucking.

The cold weather making observations for any length of time difficult (Midwest), and when we are out there they are more focused on us. That being said they have also been confined in coop (11' x 12' / 2 story) to block out drafts so boredom may be an issue. Not sure what to inspect for? Protein intake is good we buy local non-GMO feed that is 18% protein and we've been given them cracked corn in the evening for some extra calories during the night.

Do you have any photos of your coop and run? (inside coop would be great)

18%protein feed should be good.

It looks like feather picking to me. Since they are confined to the coop during cold weather, they can get on each others nerves. A lot of feather picking happens at roosting time as well, so evaluate how much roosting space you have. A good guideline to go by is 1sq ft of roosting space for large fowl, but with chickens, more is better.

As for the ducks - I just don't know enough about their behavior to say, but if you are seeing them becoming more aggressive, it's possible they may be picking at the hens as well. You may want to ask on the ducks forums too

Since it's just some of the hens, these are most likely the lower in pecking order girls. I do see plucked out and broken feathers in your photos (red circle) as well as some new growth coming in (green circle).

I would open the pop door everyday and let them decide whether they want to go out or not. You have a fairly large coop, so depending on how it's laid out, you might be able to hang some veggies in there in a couple of places and even add a dishpan of sand/dirt mix for dust bathing. This may help alleviate some tensions.

Mine stay in on days when the wind chills are in the negative (yesterday was -10wind chills) on days like this, I chop up some kale, broccoli or similar and scatter it in the bedding for them to dig through. I may also throw in just a small amount of scratch - this focuses their attention on digging (working) for goodies instead of on one another.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Dried mealworms almost triple the protein amount of their live counterparts. Probably because a pound of dehydrated mealworms (over 50% protein content) has more in quantity than the live ones would hold per pound.
Here is a great research article regarding mealworms: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4739691/
As well, you wouldn't be feeding a pound of dried mealworms to your chickens. Lol
I suspect, they are getting close to the recommended 20% with the added mealworms you are feeding. You could also add tuna, cat food, scrambled eggs, etc to up their protein content.
@Ryan F You can actually see lice and mites, but you have to look close. I suspect feather picking though.
I let my chickens out every day. They have an area in the run that is blocked from the wind and elements so it stays dry. They can choose to remain in the coop, but they don't.
I also add little things every once in awhile to keep them entertained.
Dust bath area, a log that is moved in positions as well as places, a large suet feeder filled with veggies (in lieu of a head of cabbage due to space).
I admit that I have a small coop and run - no feather picking though. I also feed layer crumbles at 17%, but I might switch if needed and if the local feed mills carry straight flock feed. I haven't looked yet, and will not switch until I need a new bag.
Good luck and welcome to byc!