Feather picking issues

[LindsayB]

First off, I have 4 hens... barred rock, brown EE, white EE and a red sex link. Their pecking order is in that order too. They are all around 11 months old and are all laying daily. A couple days ago I noticed that everyone except the barred rock was getting bare around their thigh and vent area. Its pretty obvious whos doing the feather picking and as I type right now I can see the barred rock doing it. She just walks by them and plucks a feather...

I have no idea why she is doing this! They eat Layena pellets mixed with scratch and always have water. I also give them veggies and treats every day and they have a homemade seed wheel hanging in the run to peck at and eat on. I don't think nutrition is an issue. Does anyone have any ideas on what I could do to stop this? I'm worried she might eventually start to draw blood...

 

[LindsayB]

Oh, forgot to add...they do not have lice or mites, we just treated them twice last month after seeing a few on the red sex link. I checked yesterday and they are all clear

 

[LindsayB]

here are some pics of the brown easter egger, she looks the worst...

she has some scabs already on her legs from the pecking...poor thing : (
(I had to hold her upside down to get a good pic)

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
I would eliminate the scratch from their diet and give it to them once in awhile as a treat only. Increase protein intake by providing them with gamebird feed which is about 22% protein. Hopefully this will help. If not, you might have to seperate your BR for awhile to shake up the pecking order.

 

[LindsayB]

I will definitley buy the gamebird feed tomorrow; the roads are icing over today. All I have is an extra large dog crate to keep her in if I separate her. I may end up doing it today because she still pecking constantly...I thought scratch was okay to give them in cold weather? I normally don't mix it with their feed but have been lately bc of the freezing temps.

 

[Judy]

Layena is 16% protein and has no animal protein. Treats and scratch may well be taking their protein intake down to below a good level. Personally, I prefer feeds that do have animal protein as this is their natural diet -- they will eat bugs in preference to vegetation any time they can get them. And scratch generally runs about 7% or 8% protein.

I think you do need to separate the Barred Rock, for about a week, to shake up the pecking order. The cage is fine. Meanwhile, I would find ways to increase their protein, preferably with some animal protein. Canned mackerel and meat scraps are good sources.

 

[LindsayB]

I had no idea Layena doesn't use animal proteins in the feed. I just buy it because its the only brand tractor supply carries all the time. I just gave them some leftover chicken fajitas lol, wrong I know..but its protein! About to go set up the dog crate...

thanks for the suggestions!