Feather picking PLEASE HELP!

[Stephanie777]

Hello,
I am new to the site. I've had my 6 hens for about 2.5 months or so. I got them from someone who was downsizing from "a couple dozen or so". I believe they are different ages(a year or year and a half or so) my coop is 3X8 with food and water and 2 nesting boxes and long perch lengthways in the coop, my run outside has 5 perches/ wood to climb on, A 2x3 dust bath, a suet cage with fresh veggies and scraps mostly daily, 2feeders and waterers, there's always shade at all times of the day they have 124sq feet of space to walk around in the run oyster shells I tried giving them black oil sunflower seeds but they won't eat them. I put grass clippings from when I mow in the run in a pile for them to play in weekly I am diligent with keeping coop and run clean. I've tried everything to keep them happy and from pecking eachother but nothing has worked 2 are plucked in the hind end quite bad one was a little raw in a spot I spray treated them all with Blu-Kote and rooster booster no pecking stuff still continuing. I'll even watch them peck eachothers tips of the tail feathers and eat them and the one beck pecked doesn't even acknowledge it... I'm worried this is going to keep continuing or worse. I also feed them laying feed 16% from the co op. I have pictures of my set up and the hens if necessary. Please help!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Try upping the protein content of your feed. Layer often leaves chickens deficit. If they are eating the feathers it's generally a deficiency.

Confined chickens can often have troubles, especially busier breeds. A bit of free range time or building an extended run can sometimes help if it's a boredom issue.

I would also wonder if the last owners were already having troubles and that's why they were downsizing.

Try a higher protein ration with 20-22% protein, an all flock of a non medicated grower. Offer a separate dish of oyster shells for the calcium needs. Add in some higher protein treats like scrambled eggs, canned fish or cottage cheese. Chickens will cannibalize each other unfortunately.

Separate out the aggressive ones if it gets worse.

 

[Stephanie777]

My run is 124 sq ft is that not enough for 6? I would free range but there are eagles in my area and I'm afraid of them getting killed by predators.
Others have told me the same perhaps this was happening before I got them. I already offer oyster shells but haven't tried giving them scrambled egg or canned fish or cottage cheese though. When you say a higher protein ration do you mean another kind of feed than the layer feed that I should supplement in?
They are all doing it although two only have significant bald spots.

Thank you oldhenlikesdogs I appreciate your advice. I hope I can get to the bottom of this it's gut wrenching seeing this continue.

 

[Stephanie777]

I forgot to mention too that they are golden comets

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sex links are notorious for developing deficiencies because of their higher egg production. I no longer keep them because they are trouble in my experiences. My only ones were both egg eaters and feather pickers.

Layer will definitely leave them deficient, I no longer feed a layer because it also gave me problems, especially in those higher production hens. They don't need to eat a layer, I use an All Flock now. You can mix any leftover layer half and half with a different ration until it's gone.

 

[Stephanie777]

Thank you. I will buy an all flock feed tomorrow. And start supplementing extra protein. Is it possible to give too much protein sources?
If sex links aren't as recommended due to their issues what is another breed that might be better suited? Just for future referrnce. That will be the direction I'll go next time.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You can over do protein, but generally it takes a lot. I feed a feed with 18% and I haven't had problems since switching a few years ago. 18-22% is a good year round amount.

You may or may not be able to stop them from picking. I got a feeling they were doing it before you. Once it becomes a habit it can be hard to stop. Try the higher protein feed, supplement a bit of higher protein treats and see how it goes.

I like most dual purpose breeds like rocks, Australorp, and Orpingtons, which are my favorites. Lots of good gentle breeds to choose from if you aren't looking for high production. Sex links often will quit lay by age 2, and many die young, where a dual purpose breed will lay less per year, but lay for longer in her life.

 

[Stephanie777]

Very informative! Thank you so much for your advice I truly appreciate it!
I will try those recommendations and keep you in the loop on how things go.
Fingers and toes crossed it's not a habit I can't break.