Hello from Slidell, Louisiana

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from California, sounds like you received some good advise here.
 
Have you checked for mites? Mites will cause feather loss and poor egg production. As far as pecking you, just tell them no in a firm voice, then reward with a treat when they stop. Kinda like training a dog. When it comes to food chickens figure things out pretty quickly. You may even try handling them more often and giving a treat when they behave for you. Worked for me. My rooster didn't like to be picked up, but I wanted to show him and he couldn't get away with pecking. Judges frown on that. Glad to see another Louisianian on board. I live just north of West Monroe. There's a poultry show in Nov. in Haynesville, La. I will be showing my first batch of bantams. Come on up and join us. Vicki
 
Hey, thanks for the welcome and advise. :)

The red one, yes she is a Leghorn, doesn't just peck at me but will fly up and try to scratch me if I let her get too close. She has started growing her feathers back, so I am relieved to see that.

I let them free range as often as I can. We have two dogs so when I am outside with the dogs I can't let the chickens out. So I have to divide my time between the two.

I doubt they are past their laying age because they are only a few years old, maybe 3. How long to chickens lay? I have a paper about them somewhere, I need to find it, that will tell me how old they are.

I do give them layer feed, but I have not given them oyster shells. I will try poking them with my finger on the head if they try to peck me again. I usually just keep a sort of "shepherds crook" with me to keep them back.

Thanks for the invite, Vicki, I doubt that I would be able to get up there for the show, but it sounds interesting. One thing I know about is training dogs. It would be nice of the chickens learn that quickly.

Again, thanks, I will try these things. :)
 

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