Feather loss on backsides

[remist17]

I have 1 1/2 old hens that have been laying great. They are all starting to loose feathers on their butt and one has lost feathers on butt and back. I do not run a rooster. This happened on the last batch of hens I had. Everyone told me I had a feather picker. So these are now new and I have watched and do no see feather picking happening. I am feeding TSC brand crumble layer and scratch grain. This is all I provide them besides now that spring is here some cut grass. I am thinking this is nutritional issues VS feather picking. Any thoughts?

 

[Eggcessive]

Feather picking can happen when they are in the coop while awake. Feather picking can become a habit, but most of what I have read to prevent it is to give at the minimum 16% protein good quality feed and you can supplement with some 20-24% flock raiser or gamebird feed. Scratch only contains 8%, so use it sparingly. Other things to do are to get them outdide the coop to range all of the daylight hours to reduce boredom, and make sure they have plenty of room in their coop and run. A bad tasting healing cream such as Nustock can be used to prevent further pecking. Most feed stores sell it. TSC's Dumor feed is okay, but I prefer to get the Nutrena or Purina pellets from TSC. It costs just a little more and is much less dusty and powdery.

 

[remist17]

So I have been watching the girls and I do not see feather picking but like it was said it could be during the night. I got the game feed and sunflower seeds to mix into the scratch grain. The barn is 6ftx8ft with two 8ft perches. the run is 10x15ft. What else can I do to prevent this from happening. It seems every batch of chickens I get, they do the same thing around 2 to 2.5 years old. Seems I am doing something wrong more than the chickens. This will be the third set that does this all around the same time.

 

[junebuggena]

You have room for about 8 or 9 large breed hens. If you have more than that, it's probably a crowding issue. Stop feeding the scratch grains. Mix the game bird feed in with their layer pellets, and make sure that the feed is available all day long. Scratch should not be used as a daily feed.

 

[remist17]

Thanks. I have 8 large breed hens. I am feeding crumbles right now so I will start moving to pellets. Scratch was given every other day to provide something to get in the pen. Its a dirt floor in the run but they really do not have much to go after.

what about kitten food? I was told by a old timer to give them kitten food as it is 30% protein and has a bunch of vitamins. (dry)



Thanks