Eating each other's feathers

[Shartzoge]

I have about 29 hens and two roosters. My hens are beating each other up and plucking each other's feathers out. I read somewhere that it was lack of protein I feed a good quality high protein feed as well as scraps. Help someone my girls look awful! Also want to add have varies breeds Rhode Island reds, California White Leghorn, buff orphantons, New Hampshire reds, Whinedotte, and only 2 Americana's left the others have killed the rest of them. I'm at a loss as to what to do. Do I need to just start new?

 

[keesmom]

How old are they? More importantly, how much room do they have? Coop size and run size? Do they get out to range?

 

[Shartzoge]

They are about a year old they have about a 20x20 coop and yes just recently we began letting them range

 

[lazy gardener]

The actual building they sleep in is 20' x 20'?

 

[BBQJOE]

Your chickens are just bored.
I try to bring in a Mariachi band at least once a week for mine.

 

[Shartzoge]

The actual building they sleep in is 20' x 20'?  

No im sorry I guess I misunderstood your question the actual building is 8x10

 

[lazy gardener]

Quote: That building is big enough for at best 20 birds, without a rooster, and without integrating new birds into the group. IMO, you are seeing this cannibalism because the birds are over crowded.

 

[ChickenChaser9]

Too many birds, not enough space would be my impression of your situation. They need more room to range throughout the day to avoid skirmishes. Best Wishes!