Feather Pulling

[kaydeetee86]

a standard metal or plastic garbage can would enable birds to hide behind it, and hop on it to roost. Maybe a metal one that you use for their food? get dual use out of it? I also have two smaller, 10-20 gallon cans--they hold oyster shells or spare things like treats. smaller birds can hide behind them and perch on them. If you have pallets laying around, you can lean them against the wall of the pen and even bungee/tie it there in case a wind comes up, to prevent them from falling onto the birds during a strong wind, if that's a concern.

Thank you! I’ll keep an eye out. I have some 5 gallon buckets that should work for now.

They like the logs and stumps I’ve put in there, too. And I made one branch into a roosting bar in the run.

That gives me some ideas.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you. It’s this one: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-defender-chicken-coop-2020-1168239n. Coop is 47’’ x 55.7’’ x 73.2’’ according to the site. Run is 10x10.

I’m tapped out on coop buying right now. We have 3 - this one, the Orpington coop, and a bachelor pad with my two ACs. I can do plenty of vertical expansion, hiding places and more toys, though. Do you have any recommendations?

Expanding vertically doesn't do much as chickens are mostly ground based, though more roosts in the run or platforms can give them at least a little more space to get away if needed. Really need to go out horizontal on coop and possibly the run. Just not a lot of floor space in a coop that narrow.

 

[kaydeetee86]

Expanding vertically doesn't do much as chickens are mostly ground based, though more roosts in the run or platforms can give them at least a little more space to get away if needed. Really need to go out horizontal on coop and possibly the run. Just not a lot of floor space in a coop that narrow.

Thank you. We want to add on to the run when we can. I don’t know how we could expand the coop, but I’ll keep thinking.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you. We want to add on to the run when we can. I don’t know how we could expand the coop, but I’ll keep thinking.

There have been a few people who've made addons to enlarge this coop, so it is possible for sure. Might not be as "pretty" being frankensteined but the chickens won't care.

 

[PsychoChickenLady]

Hello all. I hope you had a happy new year!

I really need some help, and I’m going to keep this as short as I can. I’m at my wits end with my flock. They have been pulling each other’s feathers for MONTHS. Most of my girls in the main coop have completely naked butts. Some are better, some are naked all the way around their tails.

These ladies were hatched in March 2020, and raised together.

The run is 10x10. I’m not sure what the coop dimensions are, but it’s good-sized. Four roosting bars. It’s rated for up to 14 chickens. I have 8, after moving 2. (12.5 sq ft per bird.)

I’ve seen the feather pulling. They have zero other signs/symptoms of anything else (parasites, etc.) Some of them are molting.

This is what I have tried:

- Removing my bullied Buff Orpingtons, and putting them in a different coop with two Lavenders. They’re doing great, feathers grew back. The other 8 seem happier.
- Removing the two biggest bullies for a few days, no change.
- Increasing feed from 16% layer feed to 20% all flock with oyster shells. Helpful at first, back to their antics now.
- Treats only right before bed, and sticking with high protein snacks like black sunflower seeds. Moderately helpful, same as the food change.
- Electrolytes/vitamins in water. I can’t tell if it made a difference.
- BluKote on the naked areas. Helpful until it wears off.
- I try to make sure they have activities to do. Stuff to jump on, plenty to scratch, a cabbage ball every so often.

I can’t safely let them free range, but will put together a chicken tractor when it gets to be nicer out. There are too many hawks and dogs, we’re close to a street, and we have 3-4 bodies of water, depending on rainfall/time of year.

Culling/rehoming isn’t an option for me. I love my girls. I can’t stand to see this. I’m worried about this leading up to worse behaviors, and somebody getting killed.

If anybody has some insight, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much.

This sounds EXACTLY like what I'm going through now. No other symptoms, still eating, pooping, laying, acting normal. EXCEPT, they are mostly all bare butted and losing/breaking tail feathers. I've tried Ivermectin, DE, calcium/protein supplements and Apple Cider Vinegar/garlic in their water. They seem healthy as can be aside from the feather loss. (I don't think it's molting. None of the molting images online look like my girls' butts). Have you had any luck or found any solutions?