Bareback chickens

[LVVCHAP]

About 5 out of my 7 chickens have a bare back. From the tail up about 2 inches. Some also have a bare butt. Any ideas? They have been like this for a while, I thought after making a bigger run if they were pecking at one another they would quit but things don't seem any better.

 

[Imp]

LVVCHAP,
Here's a link that might help.

Imp


http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/mf2308.pdf

 

[cmom]

Do you have a rooster?

 

[LVVCHAP]

Yes, one rooster and six hens. He also has a small area by his tail that is bare. This weekend I am planning to add 5 more hens to the flock.

 

[chickiedoodle]

Mine were like that. They started last winter while we were away and my family took care of them. They didn't get to free-range at all for a month, and had been free ranging every afternoon before that. I think they were bored and just picked up the habit of picking. I tried adding protein, putting entertaining cabbages etc. in the run...Finally over the last month I have let them free range all day every day and put a flock-block in the coop with them for night/early morning entertainment. They are now starting to grow little fluffy feather back--so I hope we have broken them for good

 

[QuailKeeper]

sounds like molting. thats what my quail did

 

[LaSombra]

Quote:
I saw a flock block in the feedstore the other day... looked interesting. I think I might get one for mine when it starts getting cold out.

 

[LVVCHAP]

I have used one of those for about six months, it does keep tham occupied but didn't help the back problem.

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

Mine got all their back feathers pulled out by a nasty roo (since gone to the pot), but they are still not growing back! It's been 2 months. Is there any way to help them grown back their feathers? their backs are all pink and nekkid.

 

[kgrzebin]

If that last post gets a helpful reply I'd love to hear it, too. I have an identical problem. I had a rough rooster who plucked my hens bald (my other roosters are fine), I stewed him, but can't get the feathers to grow back on my hens. It's beena couple of months, I've tried extra protein, but nadda. Now there are a couple of hens who's shoulders/wings are starting to show pink. I've been told that once they are bald, they will pluck each other just because they look funny. Someone told me to try that colored antibiotic spray, and I've done that a couple of times, but still nothing. Help!