HELP how to stop chicken feather pecking

[Lydia Suzanne]

I need help my layers just won't stop feather picking. I give them space, treats, and a whole climbing playset in the run. Any advice?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Need more info. What breed? What age? What feed? How many birds? How much space? How much of the intake is treats and what kind?
It is possible the treats are the problem.

 

[aart]

It is possible the treats are the problem.

I'm guessing space.

I have 42 chickens.

Please @Lydia Suzanne how big is coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would be most helpful here....
...along with answers to the questions @ChickenCanoe asked.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

We'll find out when we get the answers.

 

[Lydia Suzanne]

All sorts of breeds, Kalbach layer feed huge coop

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x @aart ... What is the dimensions of the coop/run? It's been recommended 4sqft per in a coop & 10sqft per in a run ... Helps to alleviate flock issues.

2x @ChickenCanoe ... I've learned "treats" are really not necessary, it off set the nutritional contents of their feed.

Feather pecking is either space or nutritional or bored ... Feed scrambled eggs (extra protein) as their "treat", stopping all others. I switched (years ago) from layer (low protein, higher calcium) to Flock Raiser (20% protein) feed. Separate dish for Oyster Shells (free feed) as well as a separate dish of grit. Never had any issues with egg laying and shell quality.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Huge isn't a dimension.
We are trying to help but to do so we need to know the coop interior dimensions in feet/meters length X width.
How many birds occupy that space?
Kalmbach layer comes in both 16% and 17% protein. Which is it?
You said you give treats. What percentage of their total intake is treats?
One can quickly offset a good deal of the needed nutrition with treats without realizing it.
For example, let's say the layer feed is 16% protein and 25% of the intake is scratch grains, that lowers the total crude protein intake to 14%.
And even further degrade intake of essential amino acids because scratch grains are devoid of lysine, methionine and others. That is too low for body maintenance, a healthy immune system and production. If chickens are getting 14% crude protein, I would expect some feather picking and perhaps even cannibalism.