Feather Picking

[beckm]

I got my first chickens last spring and this has been my first winter with them. It was a rough winter but everyone made it through just fine. I have a question. I have 6 hens and have noticed that a couple of them have had their feathers picked out back by there tail right above the vent. Have read that it can be caused from boredom and because of the hard winter. I just started them on Feather Fixer for more protein and also give them black sunflower seeds and meal worms. I can't imagine it's mites as they don't free range and it's been very cold. What are your thoughts and will it get better. I plan on getting a couple of more chicks this spring and don't want to subject them to this. I have heard of peepers that you can put on your birds...don't really care to do that.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC.
We are glad you joined this flock!
Jump right in and make yourself at home.
Double check them tonight with the flashlight for mites and or lice. They can still get both of these Even though they don't free range.

Also double-check the label on your feather fixer feed. compare it to your regular feed because I do not believe that feather fixer has that much more protein in it.
one more thing keep the treats to a minimum do not give them daily because that can cause them to not get a complete balanced diet.
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[A_Fowl_Guy]

Miss Piggy Sue says, “Welcome to our eggcelent flock here at BYC!”

 

[beckm]

I will check the bags of feed. What causes mites and lice? What do I look for and where on the chickens? If they do have them how do I treat? They don't like to be caught.

 

[beckm]

Miss Piggy Sue says, “Welcome to our eggcelent flock here at BYC!”

View attachment 1707253

Thank you!

 

[N F C]

Here are 2 links to articles in the Learning Center that will give you more info on mites & lice:
mites-lice-treatment-and-prevention.64597
mites-chicken-pests-how-to-protect-your-chickens-from-mites.47721

Hope those help. Best of luck to you, thanks for joining us!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal community! I hope you enjoy BYC as much as we do!

 

[beckm]

I will check the bags of feed. What causes mites and lice? What do I look for and where on the chickens? If they do have them how do I treat? They don't like to be caught.

My regular feed is 16% and the Feather Fixer is 18%

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Hello! Welcome to BYC!!

 

[beckm]

Thank you!