bloody feet

[retts]

I have 40 red sexlink hens. They have been laying since March of this year and I was getting 30 to 36 eggs every day. All of a sudden, the laying is down to 6 eggs per day and they are pecking at each others feet. They peck until they are bleeding and I find the hens off by themselves. I have three in the "infirmary" right now. I have checked all over the internet and can't find a cause for this. I had two roosters and one killed the other one, now the hens are pecking him. They were so docile before and now seem so mean to each other. please help

 

[Chickenfeet]

Could they have leg mites? Are the scales on the leg large and rough looking? If so, you can use Vaseline or VetRX and coat the legs and feet real well. This will smother the mites and the legs and feet will heal. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Judy]

Leg mites are certainly a possibility, and Vaseline won't hurt anything.

What is their feed? How many treats/snacks/scraps? How much space do they have? What is their bedding? Do they have a calcium supplement?

 

[retts]

Their bedding is pine shavings, I have changed their feed thinking it might be the feed and I am now feeding Layena pellets by Purina. I give them lawn and garden waste. They have a tub of water in the pen. I put an old phone book in their pen -thinking they were bored. They have a12 x20 outdoor fenced-in area and the coop is 12 x 36. Part of it is covered in front and part is open with fence in front so they can go from semi light to outside. I used the blu-kote on the injured feet. The still don't seem happy. Putting them totally outside right now is impossible as they tear up the garden and all landscaping around our house. They also have a poultry block, oyster shells, and a pan of grit to play in.

 

[Judy]

Well, they have 240 sq ft outdoors, and the recommendation is 400 sq ft for 40 birds. And they sound like they are feeling crowded. If you can't enlarge their outdoor area, can't say that I know what else to suggest.

You could try the pecking/feather pulling threads listed on the FAQ page for some ideas.

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IS not put paper in for them to peck

THERE IS A SUBSTANCE IN PRINT THAT IS BAD FOR CHICKENS

YOU MUST PROVIDE SOME HEALTHY THINGS FOR THEM

I would go to the higher protein feed and give them some
apple cider vinegar in the water
2 tbsp per gallon of water daily
also get them some wheat germ oil pure not blended to put in the water

call Smith poultry supply and ask them for
WHEAT GERM OIL PURE NOT BLENDED

Smith Poultry & Game Bird Supply Home A family-owned business that offers poultry and game bird books, supplies, vitamins and medication. Located in Kansas, US.
www.poultrysupplies.com/ - Cached - Similar

Call them and leave a message on their machine that I sent you and it is emergency
Smith Poultry & Game Bird Supply

14000 W. 215th St., Bucyrus, KS 66013-9519

Ph. 913-879-2587 - 7:30 A. M. - 3 P. M CST Monday-Friday

24-hour Fax. 913-533-2497

now with that said here is what to do

with the ACV put in the water
mix good and water them with it asap NOW

also BUY WHOLE HORSE OATS AND FEED IT AS WELL AS THE HIGHER PROTEIN FEED
provide granite grit also

buy 3 heads of green cabbage with dark green out side leaves
wrap it in chicken wire and hang them from ceiling about 18 inches from floor. hang them in different area as they provide a good distraction from eating toes for the birds
and refill the heads asap they are gone

then the most important part will be the feeding of wet mash probiotic's with vit's

take and make
1 gallon of dry feed crumbles
1-1/2 gallon of milk any kind
1 cup of yoguart

now the important part
1/2 cup of wheat germ oil pure not blended
add to the wet mash
this will help their gut flora and nervous systems

do this twice a week till they seem very happy

I would do this for a month or more
then go to once a week for life
this should help the situation immensly

please email me the results so I can help you with any questions

 

[Stevens]

The previous poster has some good suggestions, I have used the vinegar treatment myself.