HELP needed to diagnose feather loss and scabbing

[chickenman507]

This developed over three days ago from when I started to see noticble feather loss. I just thought it was some ruffing of the feathers as we added two small hens a month ago. We have no rosters either unless one of the young birds ends up being a male but I don't think that should look like this anyway. Today it looks like this!!!!! Only one other bird, barred rock as well, is showing feather loss like this but not even close to half this bad.

I was thinking of just treating them for worms and mites but want some second opinions in case it's something else.

Thank you in advance for any help!

Is this just molting? It looks painful if it is. This is their second winter hear in MN, Saint Paul, and they didn't do this last year but they would have been about 5 months old at that point. Same age as our new hens in the group and the little hens are showing no signs.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If you have no roosters than that looks like feather picking and the beginning of pecking that can lead to cannibalism.

The two main causes of pecking is a protein deficiency and crowding and boredom. So what are you feeding them and how big is your set up? Coop size and run, and how many birds are in it.

 

[chickenman507]

If you have no roosters than that looks like feather picking and the beginning of pecking that can lead to cannibalism.

The two main causes of pecking is a protein deficiency and crowding and boredom. So what are you feeding them and how big is your set up? Coop size and run, and how many birds are in it.

I have 5 hens. Coop size is 12*4 with 4 feet being the raised coop and a 4*4 space under the coop attached to the run. Coop is 4*4*5 with a raised slanted roof. I feed them Organic poultry feed.

It could be the boredom too. I stooped letting them out to free range in the yard after one was taken, by I think a fox. Another one a foster dog we had been watching went after her and got her (she was too friendly for her own good... R.I.P). That's when we added the 2 new chicks to make it 5 again but I haven't been letting them out except for cleaning. Just the last few days ive noticed the new birds have been sitting on the roost at night and the older ladies haven't It had been the opposite up until this point with the young ladies always staying on the floor. They may be taking over my older ladies!!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's a tight space, especially if they were used to ranging. That's about the same as me being confined to my living room with 5 other people for the rest of my life. With winter approaching things may get worse. Chickens in general are active busy creatures who need to keep busy.

If your layer is 16% protein it may not be enough especially if any of they lay a lot of if you feed anything extra.

I would address the space issue first, perhaps adding on a fenced in area that they can move and scratch in. You can use welded wire and t fence posts to make a fairly cheap run that isn't necessarily predator proof but can be used when you are around to keep an eye on things. Otherwise poultry netting can work well too.

 

[chickens really]

Not enough room...Best wishes...

 

[chickenman507]

Everything I read while researching before building had said anywhere from 2sq ft - 4 sq ft per bird. Even If i chop it in half and say I have 12 x 4 ft they still have over 40 sq ft. Even before buying two more birds we checked again with the local feed stores and they agreed we had plenty of space for 5 chickens. Where are you finding they need that much room because all my research has said I have more than enough room

 

[chickens really]

What your reading is possibly the minimum requirement...Once you add in the Breed of Birds you Choose...Certain breeds are more aggressive and don't handle confinement as well...Need higher protein etc...Chickens can be a handful...

 

[sourland]

Such recommendations MAY work to keep them alive, but not to keep them alive in good condition. Ever see pictures of birds in egg production facilities ? They are nearly naked due to boredom induced feather picking.

 

[chickens really]

I want out of Chickens....I keep mine only because I worry about their care...Once they die off I won't replace them..I have a great flock of Birds with zero issues..I just love Ducks more....

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

As the others have said minimum square footage is just that,minimum, and it's mostly used by large producers who debeak birds and jam them in those tiny cages. Most chickens aren't okay with just sitting and looking out at the world, they need to move and hustle up their grub.

Some breeds do better in tight confinement, most are bantams. Unfortunately there's lots of incorrect information out there about chicken keeping. Size requirements is the biggest myths. At minimum I would double the minimum amounts, but I personally have gone beyond that for my birds because I have seen birds pecked to death because of tight confinement.