Down Feather being Picked From Around Bums

[mark1guy]

Hi all,

Can anyone explain to me why my birds are picking feathers from only certain birds. 4 of 12 birds have some feathers missing from around the bum area. They are getting a large aluminum pie pan of cooked fish once a week along with dried kelp. 18% layer is available anytime they want. I live in Newfoundland so winter is fast approaching. Going to -7°C tonight.

Thanks

 

[Judy]

Sound like you've addressed protein which leaves too little space and boredom.

Are the ones being pecked a different breed? Perhaps some feathers are easier to pull than others....

Some good information in this article about space and very cold climates:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-winter-coop-temperatures

 

[mark1guy]

Thanks.

That's a good read on winter conditions. While it typically does not get extremely cold in the winter the humidity is typically high. Unless we get extreme cold. I have my dry winter shavings in a super sac covered with plastic so I can added more dry shaving as the winter proceeds.

The roof of the pen is covered with plastic in the winter so they have a dry place to run outside.

I think I will invest into some scratch and throw outside to limit the feather plucking due to boredom.