Butt picking

[mbodamer]

Hi there! My friend is an experienced vet tech and she told me to use some hydrocortisone cream on the redness. My first two chickens were ones that were picked so bad they were almost naked when I got them.

The other thing is how much room do they have and what are they eating? I would make sure they had enough protein and not give carby treats while they're trying to grow feathers.

Good luck to you, I know it can be so frustrating trying to figure these things out. You cared enough to take them to the vet and to ask here so I'm sure you'll figure out what's going on.

Thanks that is helpful. I am feeding them the same diet ever since they switched from chick to layer I fed the nature's organic I think it's called from tractor supply. I have a free access dish of oyster shell and I toss in a handful of grains and on occasion meal worms. But perhaps not enough meal worms. I will step that up and see if it helps. Thank you

 

[mbodamer]

Buy Nu-Stock at your feed store, it'll be in the equine section. Apply Nu-stock on their rear end and on the red areas. It will heal the red area in no time and prevent picking and pecking at the same time. Make sure you shake the tube well before applying Nu-Stock and wear disposable gloves.
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Thank you I will pick some up tomorrow at Tractor supply.

 

[blackandtan]

Try giving them stuff to do as well, I’ve found that helps a lot! Veggies, grass clippings, piles of branches to hide in and pine branches to nibble and play in.

 

[slordaz]

Thanks that is helpful. I am feeding them the same diet ever since they switched from chick to layer I fed the nature's organic I think it's called from tractor supply. I have a free access dish of oyster shell and I toss in a handful of grains and on occasion meal worms. But perhaps not enough meal worms. I will step that up and see if it helps. Thank you

mine of all things right now want frozen bananas or corn for treats , not sure if they are just spoiled rotten or they know better than what we do what they need lol

 

[Folly's place]

If you have birds, especially one bird, with a normal rear end, she may be your culprit. Try moving birds around to a separate coop area and see what happens. Or, see who's roosting with whom, because it's likely happening while roosting.
Transition to a higher protein feed! Most layer feeds are 16% protein, often not that great for home flocks and free ranging birds. Try an all- flock type feed instead, 20% protein.
I wouldn't use a steroid cream!!!
Mary

 

[mbodamer]

If you have birds, especially one bird, with a normal rear end, she may be your culprit. Try moving birds around to a separate coop area and see what happens. Or, see who's roosting with whom, because it's likely happening while roosting.
Transition to a higher protein feed! Most layer feeds are 16% protein, often not that great for home flocks and free ranging birds. Try an all- flock type feed instead, 20% protein.
I wouldn't use a steroid cream!!!
Mary

There are 8 hens with perfectly fine rear ends. Originally I had "stadium" style roosting bars but when this issue began I removed all the low bars and made them all the same height thinking that the lower roosting hens were picking at the higher ones. I watch the cam at night, although not all night long, and i have never seen any sign of the behavior.