Brahmas leg feathers

[Ellegibs]

I have two Brahmas, a hen and a rooster. Over the past year or so every so often I'd notice their legs were bleeding and they were missing feathers on them. I have now concluded (by watching them and my other hens and doing a little research) the other hens in the flock are pulling the Brahmas feathers out and causing them to bleed. How can I stop this behavior? What can I do to protect my brahmas leg feathers? HELP!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Can you share pictures? What are you feeding? How big is your set up?

The usual reasons for feather picking behaviors are a protein deficiency, or boredom and crowding. Birds have nothing better to do, and can't burn off excess energy in smaller set ups.

Chickens can also get scaly leg mites. So pictures may help.

 

[Ellegibs]

They are not scaly leg mites. It's definitely from other hens pulling off the feathers. They get layer feed from.TSC, black oil sunflower seed and scratch.
Their coop is a shed a transformed and is shared with 7 hens and a rooster. They have a run which is 50'x30.'
I'm really at my wits end. They have picked the feathers right off my poor Roosters legs!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Layer ration is usually a 16% protein, which is minimum daily requirements. Adding extras like scratch and sunflower seeds will dilute that protein down further. I would switch to a higher protein ration, and perhaps try either bluekote or a no pick spray on the legs.

 

[Ellegibs]

Thank you! I'll give it a try!