Breese hens molting problem

[Just Ranchin]

3 of 9 breese hens we have molted this season and never grew feathers back. Even worse is one of the two was eating her own flesh. They lost ALL their back feathers. Far more than any hens we've ever had before. From the base of their necks down to the tip of their tails. Put saddles on them (first time needing to use saddles) and one of the three immediately started growing feathers back. That hen no longer has the saddle and is completely normal now. The other two haven't grown any back and started getting bald shoulders which was still exposed. All our other hens have molted and grown their feathers back like normal. It's just these two hens that seem to be a problem. Any reasons or suggestions in case this happens again? Until these breese hens we've never had a problem with molting and we've never had hens eat themselves before these hens. No mites etc. Anyone had this happen before and find a cause?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds more like feather picking and eating, which can be from a protein deficiency, or from crowding and boredom. You could try pinless peepers to see if it helps. I would also make sure you are feeding a ration with a higher protein ration if you aren't already. Chickens will cannibalize each other.

 

[Just Ranchin]

Sounds more like feather picking and eating, which can be from a protein deficiency, or from crowding and boredom. You could try pinless peepers to see if it helps. I would also make sure you are feeding a ration with a higher protein ration if you aren't already. Chickens will cannibalize each other.

Thank you very much. Just looked into the pinless peeper. I've seen them in passing over the years for sale but never paid attention to their uses. This could be the answer. Yes they get higher protein feed during molt. I've seen cannibalizing each other but not themselves before. I do think this is due to boredom. Thank you for the suggestions.