FEATHER ISSUES...

[wfs3661]

Anyone have any ideas?? I don't see any mites/lice! Been dealing with this since last fall...they went through their molt and 3 out of my 5 have just never gotten back to normal. I've wormed them as well...
We have crappy soil...clay and rock! I have a 1/2 barrel in their pen with sand to waller around in, not sure if it is the problem since all three have it around the neck and just the grey one has it everywhere except her fanny.

 

[sourland]

The two hens who are 'full feathered' are feather picking and eating their flockmates' feathers.

 

[wfs3661]

Now what the heck causes that???

 

[sourland]

Some say protein deficiency - I think that it is mostly out of boredom. Caged laying hens are frequently nearly 100% denuded.

 

[wfs3661]

I've had chicken off and on since I was a kid and never had this issue. They have a good size run, get plenty of protein...I just want their feathers back. Shoot, they even have their own bug zapper for extra goodies!!

 

[sourland]

Do a forum search on "pinless peepers". They can be removed once the birds have regrown their feathers, and frequently the trouble makers will have grown out of this bad habit.

 

[wfs3661]

I will...thanks!!

 

[slingshotandLAR]

Methionine deficiency is the most common reason chickens eat feathers....

Feather picking and eating are two separate things, if you don't see any feathers they are eating them.

 

[abenardini]

There is a product sold at tractor supply called feather fixer. It is a good supplement to add into feed.

I mix it in all the time (probably <5% fixer to food ratio). Hope the birds regrow their feathers soon. Best of luck!

 

[wfs3661]

Thank you both for the info!
Have never heard of Methionine deficiency...! Very few feathers around...so guess that's a viable diagnosis.
Our Tractor Supply is in the process of being built as we 'speak'...I'll check with my current feed store to see what they have for fixing feathers. (we live in the sticks! LOL)