Crazy chickens

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DeniseWatson said:
Thanks. We are feeding them layer feed and some scratch and bread as treats. Here is a pic of the chicken tractor/run. It's big enough to house 30 chickens and we have 23. View attachment 2622145
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The treats are diluting the protein. Layer feed is just the bare minimum. I would switch over to a complete feed with 18-20% protein.
They have space but there isn't much to do in the space. Can you install some perches at least?
 
Acre4Me said:
Nice setup!
Looks like they can get under the coop too?

feathers are mostly protein, and they might be eating the feathers they pick.

stop the scratch and treats. Give them only their feed. If possible get a higher protein feed -either a different layer that is higher protein or an all-flock feed. Layer feed tends to be 16% protein, a minimum required by the birds. So, scratch dilutes their protein intake, so does bread.

put in some visual disruptions if possible and some roosts if possible in the larger run area. A visual disruption will allow the birds to get out of sight of one another, but still escape any bullying. So, a roost helps here or a board propped up against a wall (but not in a corner) where they can enter/leave from both sides.

of nothing else help, “pinless peepers” are said to be very helpful, but I’ve never used them, so don’t have pics or advice on them.
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Thanks. The coop/wagon has gotten quite out of control. They run around underneath the wagon too. They hunker down there if the wind gets a little crazy. It now has electric and insulation (still vented) with wall heaters for when it got down to 5 degrees. They are definitely spoiled!! We did hang a wooden porch swing inside the run since this photo that they like to get on. We tried hanging wind chimes but they didn't much care for them. I think the feed we give them is 18%. We don't give them very much scratch and bread but will stop it all and see if that helps their haggered look. I've heard of those peepers - hilarious. But if this is pecking then we may have to go that route. We have 5 black sexlinks and all of them have bald bums. No one else does so maybe that is food related too. Hummm. I thought I was well prepared for these kids but there is so much to learn still. So grateful for this forum. Thanks for all your advice.
 
DobieLover said:
The treats are diluting the protein. Layer feed is just the bare minimum. I would switch over to a complete feed with 18-20% protein.
They have space but there isn't much to do in the space. Can you install some perches at least?
Click to expand...
There is a wooden porch swing in the run now. We'll have to come up with more perches in the run. We move it every day or so so they have fresh grass and bugs to hunt for. Thanks for the advice.
 

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