chicken pulling out others feathers

[bobby2170]

i have recently noticed my largest hen has a bare spot in her back that looks like it's been pecked. we haven't been letting them free range as much that past month or so as we previously did. could this be the reason? we also changed their food to the layer pellets? please respond soon we're very worried. thanks!

 

[Isaac 0]

Do you have a rooster?. Mating will cause them to get bare backs

 

[bobby2170]

no 9 hens

 

[Isaac 0]

Well,If they dont have that much space it probably is just a peck.Nothing to be worried about

 

[Pork Pie]

Feather pecking is symptomatic of environmental stress (assuming, this is indeed what you are dealing with). This can relate to coop / run size, and being denied the opportunity to express innate behaviours. Stopping free ranging could also be a contributory factor, as they could express these behaviour whilst free ranging. I'd suggest looking at your set up, and ensuring that you have as many provisions in place as possible to facilitate their "natural" behaviour.

 

[aart]

Feather pecking is symptomatic of environmental stress (assuming, this is indeed what you are dealing with). This can relate to coop / run size, and being denied the opportunity to express innate behaviours. Stopping free ranging could also be a contributory factor, as they could express these behaviour whilst free ranging. I'd suggest looking at your set up, and ensuring that you have as many provisions in place as possible to facilitate their "natural" behaviour.

Ditto Dat^^^^

How old are your birds?
How big is your coop and run.....in feet by feet?

Changing to layer feed could be part of the issue too......
....depending on the protein percentages of the old feed vs the new feed.
Read the fine print on the tag sewn into the bottom of the feed bags.