Feather picking

[nhorrin]

I have a flock of 11 (10 hens and 1 rooster) White Chanteclers that are 18 months old. My plan was to hatch some chicks last spring but none of the hens went broody. At first I noticed that some of the hens were loosing back feathers but assumed it was damage from the rooster. As the summer went on I noticed other feather lose on all but one hen and eventually the rooster was also loosing feathers. It has got to the point where I now have some severe feather picking going on. Today I noticed blood on one hen's beak and the rooster's back end is bloody. They are not over crowed in the coop and have a 30' by 40' fenced run where they spend the day. I don't know what I might be doing wrong to cause this problem. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What are you feeding? Could be a protein deficiency.

 

[aart]

They are not over crowed in the coop and have a 30' by 40' fenced run where they spend the day.

How big is the coop in feet by feet?

 

[luvmigirls]

Don't overlook mites or nits. They come from wildlife and can kill your entire flock.
here is a good article with PHOTOS of what affected areas look like!

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html

 

[nhorrin]

I feed them layer pellets which contain 16.5% protein.

What are you feeding? Could be a protein deficiency.

 

[nhorrin]

How big is the coop in feet by feet?

The coop is 8' by 8' with a 7' by 12' fenced enclosure that they have access to 24 hours a day. They also have a 30' by 40' fenced run that they have access to during the day.

 

[nhorrin]

Don't overlook mites or nits. They come from wildlife and can kill your entire flock.
here is a good article with PHOTOS of what affected areas look like!

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html

Thanks for the information. I have never seen any mites on the hens but they do take a lot of dust baths when outside.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I feed them layer pellets which contain 16.5% protein.

I would find something with more protein, 20-22%, an All Flock ration is a good one. Provide a separate bowl of oyster shells. Also add in some higher protein treats like scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, or canned fish. Hens can become deficient in a layer ration especially if any extras are fed.