Help I have a butt pecker

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi sorry one more question. I’m trying to find 20% all flock. I use nutrena. I can only find pellet not crumble. I’ve never used pellet so not sure they will eat it. What feed or brand do you use?

Hi I use pelleted feather fixer 20% and they eat it just fine. We seem to have a ot of waste wigh crumbles so we switched. We have "no-waste" feeders, 5-gallon buckets with PVC elbow ports that they stick their heads in. They still managed to pull a lot of the crumbles out onto the ground! When we switched to pellets we did it gradually.

First week, 75% crumbles, 25% pellets.

Second week, 50/50.

Third week, 25% crumbles, 75% pellets.

Finally, 100% pellets. No problems. And no more waste.
Good luck!

 

[Hannah2911]

Hi I use pelleted feather fixer 20% and they eat it just fine. We seem to have a ot of waste wigh crumbles so we switched. We have "no-waste" feeders, 5-gallon buckets with PVC elbow ports that they stick their heads in. They still managed to pull a lot of the crumbles out onto the ground! When we switched to pellets we did it gradually.

First week, 75% crumbles, 25% pellets.

Second week, 50/50.

Third week, 25% crumbles, 75% pellets.

Finally, 100% pellets. No problems. And no more waste.
Good luck!

Oh great thank you

 

[redinator]

I watched the video and noticed I don't see toys for the chickens. In general they wouldn't be needed for older chickens, but they work great for young chicks that have issues with toe biting and eye pecking.

I use things like small mirrors, plastic jar with marbles/pebbles, hanging xylophone anything shiny and colorful. It might give her something else to peck at other than the other girls' rumps.

ETA: I'd also suggest moving toys around or switching them out every so often to keep her interested in them.

 

[Bawkbok]

Hi sorry one more question. I’m trying to find 20% all flock. I use nutrena. I can only find pellet not crumble. I’ve never used pellet so not sure they will eat it. What feed or brand do you use?

Don't apologize for questions, that's how we all learn.
We use Kalmbach All Flock 20% protein - crumbles. We order it via Chewy and have it on repeat delivery.

We tried switching from crumbles to pellets and they weren't having it. I watched them almost starve themselves for three days and discarded the pellets which was their only source of food and went back to crumbles. There is more waste but they like it and are thriving on it.

We tried various feeds, even super expensive organic, non GMO, but when we tried Kalmbach all flock, there was no turning back. They love it and produce delicious eggs.

 

[redinator]

Don't apologize for questions, that's how we all learn.
We use Kalmbach All Flock 20% protein - crumbles. We order it via Chewy and have it on repeat delivery.

We tried switching from crumbles to pellets and they weren't having it. I watched them almost starve themselves for three days and discarded the pellets which was their only source of food and went back to crumbles. There is more waste but they like it and are thriving on it.

We tried various feeds, even super expensive organic, non GMO, but when we tried Kalmbach all flock, there was no turning back. They love it and produce delicious eggs.

I second ordering from Chewy. I switched to all flock crumbles when I got tired of switching feeds when I was integrating chicks into the flock. I keep oyster shells on the side and toss them any eggshells I have after giving them a rinse.

 

[McChooky]

Given the fact that your chickens don't have a lot of room I would seriously consider rehoming this bully . I re-homed half of the leghorns I bought a couple years ago because they were yanking each others feathers out .Once these habits develop they don't usually stop.

 

[McChooky]

Here are some more videos I found when I wasn’t out there. I really don’t want to lose her bc to me she’s sweet. Sits in my lap wants to be around me cuddles. But I know I have to protect the others. I will start with 20% protein food. I’m ordering a wind chime for chickens and a different smaller perch. I was trying to keep it open but seems like they need more to keep them occupied. I’ll blue kote the naked butts. If that doesn’t work I’ll look into peeper thing and chicken jail or separate for a few days. Super sadly if that doesn’t work I will see if my vet will take her on his 80 acres. She may not have a problem if there was so much more space?

I rehomed 4 of mine after explaining the situation to a friend.He has a lot more room than I and agreed to free range them with the extra rooster I gave him if they picked on his flock.Last I heard they were doing very well in his flock but he had Rhode islands.They aren't known to be a passive bird so the bullies didn't fight them.My friend wasn't fond of the chickens I gave him but he kept them

 

[Bawkbok]

@Hannah2911 - how are your girls doing? Were you able to change the feed and if so, did that make a difference at all?

 

[Hannah2911]

@Hannah2911 - how are your girls doing? Were you able to change the feed and if so, did that make a difference at all?

I changed it well mixed with crumble to start. I assume it would take a few days to make a difference. She still doing it but not as bad.

 

[Hannah2911]

@Hannah2911 - how are your girls doing? Were you able to change the feed and if so, did that make a difference at all?

Hey so I am having a thought. I read that parasites can cause them to peck feathers of themselves or others. None of my chickens are acting sick or lethargic. They look good. But here are two other things I’ve noticed. The 2-3 weeks one hasn’t laid at all. I thought she was just not laying as I’ve read they can do in colder months. And that may be what it is. I have another girl who from the first time she laid has had a bit of trouble. She lays two soft shell eggs more frequent than I think is normal. But she also has been on a longer streak than ever of not laying any soft shell eggs. I thought she just was growing out of it. These girls are 9 months old. Started laying at 5-6 months. She has never laid back to back soft shell eggs. The last two days she laid two soft shell eggs in a row. I have seen worms can cause stop laying or soft shell. Now the one has had the soft shell that wasn’t from worms but again never laid them one day after another. I have looked at their poop today. There aren’t huge obvious worms but I do see specks. I don’t know enough to know if these are worms. What do you think ? And yes I’m gross for holding bare handed. I washed real good with antibacterial soap lol. I tried zooming in as much as I could. I can try to get some more photos