emergency. please help.

[Elizafern]

My chickens are pecking at each other and they r losing all types of feathers. They have sores on there back end and some by there wings. I included a picture of one of my chicks that has lost lots of feathers. We do not know what is going on or why. We have checked for mites and lice and have found nothing. We have seperated a few of them to c if it was them doing it but the other chickens have just gotten worse. Please if anyone can help it would be apreciated. Thanks all.

 

[chainsawbelle]

I don't have any magic answers but I know how it feels to have no one answer your post. So here goes. Do you have a rooster? From what I've read not enough hen to roosters can be a problem. Also do you have DE or something to help with mites and lice in their bedding as a preventative? I've also read certain chewing tobaccos can work. Are they bored or not enough space per bird? Is it time to molt? All things to check off the list.

 

[binza1979]

Looks like my ladies do when the teenage roos start into manhood and start loving on the ladies.

 

[critters]

an apron or saddle might at least save their backside and give
their feathers a chance to regrow and their wounds to heals...

you can make them yourself...it's easy to do and protects them
when the roos mount/mate with them...

this all assuming its from the roos...

 

[my sunwolf]

When this happens to mine, first thing I look at is space. They tend to start feather picking/shredding when they are cramped, bored, nervous. Then I would think about bugs and roosters. critters is right that a saddle will help, you might want to buy or make one and put them on until you can find out what the problem is. I have a lot of full grown hens that do this to each other on the roost at night just for dominance's sake; it is also very common in winter when it's too cold/windy/snowy to forage so they can't keep themselves entertained.

 

[Elizafern]

Well.. thank u all for answering. . Um. We do not have any roosters.. just 10 hens and 2 baby hena we just got but they r not out with the 10 older ones. . I will deff look into the saddles. . thank u again. . We have already looked for mites and lice. . Um. . There coop geta cleaned up daily and bedding changed pretty much weekly. . Any other suggestions r welcome as well. . Thank u all. .