Feather eating

[Petermariah]

I’m new to raising chickens I got six hens in March. They’ve been laying for a few weeks. I have 5 hens with torn up backs and butts two of them to the point of large bald spots. Then I have one hen whose feathers are pristine. Well today I caught her in the act she slurped that feather down like it was a worm! I was thinking about peepers in fact I already ordered them. But my husband said they need more protein. Currently they eat Layena and scratch grains. I also make them little “pies” each morning which is steal cut oats, yogurt, kale or spinach, sunflower seeds, mealworms, chia and flax. Then in the afternoon they eat fresh grass. They are somewhat spoiled. I’m thinking about adding in canned tuna as well as leftover meats from dinner. I’m wondering if this will help the feather issue and also wondering how much tuna can I feed them. I was thinking about two cans a day is that too much mercury?

 

[Folly's place]

Try feeding them a balanced diet, rather than adding multiple goodies!
Here we feed an all-flock feed, Purina Flock Raiser, 20% protein, and offer oyster shell in a separate dish. Then the birds get tiny amounts of scratch as a treat, a few veggies, and they free range when possible. Nobody is ever bald!
Layer feed is usually 16% protein, and high is calcium, and is designed for smaller breed hens in confinement who eat nothing else. Adding scratch, veggies, etc, unbalances that very careful blend of nutrients, and isn't doing them any favors.
You will spend more money, and still not have the perfect diet, by adding more things to this mix.
Growing feathers is a high protein project for the birds, never mind if they are also laying eggs for you! It will be easier, and probably more effective, to buy a better diet in the first place.
Do you check the mill date on each bag of feed at the store? It should be fed within two months of milling, and not be older, because some of the vitamins do start to be lost over time.
Some birds are just feather pecking little beasts, and using those pinless peepers may fix her for you!
Mary

 

[aart]

I’m wondering if this will help the feather issue and also wondering how much tuna can I feed them. I was thinking about two cans a day is that too much mercury?

Give them one can a week, and cut out all the other goodies,
until you get some higher protein feed.
Better to get some lower fat fish packed in water instead of oil.
Mackerel has been suggested by a highly experienced keeper here.