feather picking

[fratmor]

my girls have missing feathers on their backs, under there butts and now I have two that are starting to show wear around the neck.It's not a bug problem I have checked them many times and No mites or lice.
I'm thinking I have a protein problem. they eat 16 % mash in the AM and PM and have pellets available at all times ,I also keep a bucket of oyster shells for them.Is there any high protein food i can feed them besides cat food.I was also wondering if I can give them starter feed being that it has 18% protein.I also thought of beef livers.

 

[southerndesert]

Quote:
Sounds like you may be on the right track and there could be protein deficiency and if you see no feathers laying around the coop they are likely eating them. We add a small bit of dry cat food to our hens diet to help give them a bit more protein and there are also other foods/supplements you can use.

Boredom will also cause some feather picking, but normally you will see the pulled feathers laying around in these cases....