Chickens losing bottom feathers

[Painted Calls]

We have been finding this with our 10 Wyandotte's as well. 5 out of 10 are bare. Exactly how this picture looks. I came across your thread while doing research for our hens. What steps did you take? What was the outcome? We treated as if we were fighting mites yet found no bugs at all. Now we've staggered their perches in the coop in hopes the extra room will keep them from continuing to peck each other. I'm interested to hear from you. We're very concerned.

The OP hasn't been on since 2015.

What does your coop look like? Some pictures of your setup may help. What do you feed them?

 

[CDeMare71]

Thanks for your reply. I don't have any pictures to post at this time but will try to get some in a few days. We got them May 13, 2020 from a reputable hatchery. They eat layer pellets, scratch (as a treat after work) and crushed Oyster Shell as calcium supplement and as grit.

 

[Painted Calls]

We will wait for pics of your setup. Then we'll talk about their diet some more if necessary.

 

[CDeMare71]

Sounds good. I neglected to mention before, they are laying fairly well...5-8 per day average. I'll put pics up here once I get them!

 

[Painted Calls]

Sounds good!

 

[CDeMare71]

Sounds good!

Here is my run, both outermost with netting and smaller run with roof. This is where their food,water, and bather is located. Then some pictures of the coop with perches and nesting boxes. And a few random pictures of the run inside and some of my girls. Their butts look so bad and painful. I’m heartbroken.

 

[Painted Calls]

Very good. It looks like they have enough space. You could try adding some things to hide under/on top of in the run.

Another possibility is that they're not getting enough protein. You could try giving them something with around 20%+ protein. Continue to offer them crushed oyster shell. See if a couple weeks on a higher protein feed doesn't help.

 

[CDeMare71]

Very good. It looks like they have enough space. You could try adding some things to hide under/on top of in the run.

Another possibility is that they're not getting enough protein. You could try giving them something with around 20%+ protein. Continue to offer them crushed oyster shell. See if a couple weeks on a higher protein feed doesn't help.

Will do. And will let you know results. Good or bad. If you think of anything else please let me know.

 

[Painted Calls]

Will do. And will let you know results. Good or bad. If you think of anything else please let me know.

Will do! Hopefully someone else will chime in with other possible ideas as well.

 

[dawg53]

The redness is caused by urates in feces running down their backside or getting stuck in feathers and fluff scalding their rear end. Buy a tube of Nu-Stock in the equine section at a feed store and apply it to the affected areas. It will heal the area and at the same time prevent picking. Wear disposable gloves when applying it.
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