Featherless bottoms

[Michael OShay]

Is there a hen or two in your flock that doesn't have the featherless bottom? If so, they are likely plucking the feathers out of the others. If chickens are too crowded (in coop etc) they feather pluck, bully, and in extreme cases resort to cannibalism. If chickens see "red" as in plucked areas or wounds, they will continue pecking at it. If you could get some Blu Kote as the feed store. cover the bald areas with it so it doesn't show up red.

If they are bored being inside you might try hanging treats they can peck at like cabbage or apples. And maybe some hay spread over the snowy run floor would encourage them to get outside.

Given that you've eliminated lice as the problem, X2 on both of the above posts. You may need to reduce the number of birds in your coop and definitely coat their bottoms with Blue Kote Wound Dressing. Not only will it prevent infection and promote healing, but the bad taste will discourage the other birds from pecking at the area. In addition to hanging treats, you can also hang shiny things like CDs for them to peck at and put log structures into the run for them to climb on as a way to alleviate boredom.

 

[NickyKnack]

Hello!

Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to join the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC. Good luck with your girl!