Feather Picking

[MARCOCH]

The hen in question is apparently a bit of a bully. One thing I discovered today about her...she is the cause of the missing neck feathers on the neck on one of my other hens. I was monitoring her outside time on my run cam, and saw her picking the feathers out of the other subordinate bird. Ugh...so she’s also a feather picker.

 

[vantain]

The run is too small to really have a lot going on in it and give the picker something else to do.

Given a run size of 8x8, what would you suggest for now, to throw in the run to help with boredom? I'd love any and all ideas. I will be increasing the size of the run in the spring, so this is just what I can do for now.

The run is 8x8, and the coop is 6x8, and they spend time in both places throughout the day, though mainly the run.

Here is a view inside:

 

[vantain]

Here's another view from the door...

 

[rosemarythyme]

Here's another view from the door...
View attachment 2001494

Not a "fix" but an improvement - the green jungle gym thing on the upper right, can you move that somewhere towards the center of the run? Maybe there'll be space to lean a pallet against it or something too. That's the kind of clutter you'll want to aim for, one that helps break up the space that birds can go around and under and on top of.

 

[aart]

the green jungle gym thing on the upper right, can you move that somewhere towards the center of the run? Maybe there'll be space to lean a pallet against it or something too.

Exactly what I was thinking...might need pallet on both side to hold it steady.

 

[MARCOCH]

The hen in question is apparently a bit of a bully. One thing I discovered today about her...she is the cause o the missing neck feathers on the neck on one of my other hens. I was monitoring her outside time on my run cam, and saw her picking the feathers out of the other subordinate bird. Ugh...so she’s also a feather picker.

I discovered today about her...she is the cause of the missing neck feathers on the neck on one of my other hens. I was monitoring her outside time on my run cam, and saw her picking the feathers out of the other subordinate bird. Ugh...so she’s also a feather picker.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I had a feather picking problem last year and it was a real PIA. Mine were going for the back so ultimately the only thing that worked was chicken saddles. I didn’t do any free ranging last year but now I do a supervised “free range” as often as weather permits. Even 30 minutes a day calms them down and fewer issues.

 

[aart]

and saw her picking the feathers out of the other subordinate bird

Did the subordinate bird allow it?
Have had them stand very calmly and eat each other neck/beard feathers.

 

[vantain]

Not a "fix" but an improvement - the green jungle gym thing on the upper right, can you move that somewhere towards the center of the run? Maybe there'll be space to lean a pallet against it or something too. That's the kind of clutter you'll want to aim for, one that helps break up the space that birds can go around and under and on top of.

I can give that a try. I do have a small roost on the one end of the run, seen in the first photo I posted, opposite the little jungle gym. Would that be an issue if they are up there and fly down from that? With the jungle gym in the middle of the run, it would be in the way of them jumping down from that. I can always remove that, or change the position of the roost to connect to the tower.

 

[vantain]

Also..I think my birds are molting. I went into the run today, and it looked like a pillow had exploded in there. I filled a coffee can with feathers. It's certainly not a hard molt, since they still appear fully feathered. They are losing downy feathers underneath their normal outer feathers. When I see them flap their wings, feathers are flying. It certainly explains why they don't seem to be eating as much over the last week or so. It also makes sense a bit, why the one bird with the missing neck feathers, is being picked on a bit, due to the bare neck.

When I checked them over, I found a lot of pin feathers, and lumpy skin where more have not yet emerged. They must all be a bit uncomfortable. The one with the bare neck feels like a pin cushion.