My new flock is just going on two years old. There are 21 hens (EE’s, olive eggers, delawares, silver laced wyandottes and blue barnevelders) in a run that measures 15’x35’, and a coop that is 8x8.
Starting early last year many were showing signs of picking on their backs above their tails. By mid-summer many were completely picked clean above and around their preen glands. One even had chronic scabbing in 2-3 spots.
I got rid of the ones I thought were responsible, and waited for them to molt.
Most were fully re-feathered in time for winter, except one who failed to molt. She (Lacy) did ok most of the winter but was starting to fail in late January so I brought her inside. After a month of living in our house she had grown new feathers on her back and chest, so I put her back in the coop in the middle of the night.
Within 24 hours she was picked clean again, and scabs in the same places as before.
In addition, many of the other girls show the same picking damage, although not nearly so bad.
I can’t observe any specific hen doing this. Could it be happening while they roost? Are they too crowded? And is Lacy pjust too passive for the rest of the group? Would it help to space the levels of the roost further apart?
They get 20% layer feed plus BOSS and fly grubs.
I’ve never had mass picking like this but this is also my largest flock. It’s making me crazy. They’re healthy and laying like champions . . Just look like they’ve been used to mop a floor.
All suggestions welcome, especially to help poor pathetic Lacy.
Starting early last year many were showing signs of picking on their backs above their tails. By mid-summer many were completely picked clean above and around their preen glands. One even had chronic scabbing in 2-3 spots.
I got rid of the ones I thought were responsible, and waited for them to molt.
Most were fully re-feathered in time for winter, except one who failed to molt. She (Lacy) did ok most of the winter but was starting to fail in late January so I brought her inside. After a month of living in our house she had grown new feathers on her back and chest, so I put her back in the coop in the middle of the night.
Within 24 hours she was picked clean again, and scabs in the same places as before.
In addition, many of the other girls show the same picking damage, although not nearly so bad.
I can’t observe any specific hen doing this. Could it be happening while they roost? Are they too crowded? And is Lacy pjust too passive for the rest of the group? Would it help to space the levels of the roost further apart?
They get 20% layer feed plus BOSS and fly grubs.
I’ve never had mass picking like this but this is also my largest flock. It’s making me crazy. They’re healthy and laying like champions . . Just look like they’ve been used to mop a floor.
All suggestions welcome, especially to help poor pathetic Lacy.
