help please

[dmccann]

we have 7 hens two are pulling feathers out on their own backs the other hens are also helping,theyhave bloodybig bare spot there. we dusted for lice put blue coat spray on wound and pine tar over that they are still pecking at it what to do now first time chicken owner thank you

 

[heritagebirds]

Sorry, I've not had that problem, but there are many great people on here that I'm sure someone can help you out.

 

[hen-thusiast]

My questions would be - 1. What are they being fed? and 2. How much room do they have? 3. Is there adequate room for them all to eat and drink? Nutritional deficiencies, boredom and not getting access to food/water can cause feather picking.

I've never dealt with picking, but here are the suggestions I've heard. Try replacing all the light bulbs with red ones, red lights reduce picking. Try some boredom busters like hanging cabbage or broccoli. Depending on the severity, some people on here have tried products like these as well.... http://www.randallBurkey.com/Blinders-Debeakers/products/12/

That's interesting about the picking of their own feathers, I'm interested to hear what they are being fed and how much room they have. Good luck!

 

[crazy_4_chickens]

Quote:
Thats a good idea I usually put vasaline or stop pick on it gives a slimey taste and my birds hated it!!!

 

[dmccann]

i feed crumbles layer food from tsupply also cracked corn ,straw on floor with oats sprinkled in .the feed is there 24 /7 also water there outside area is about8x12 i recently replaced the white light with red would lice or mites cause this ? I read some where that kitten frontline works on chickens does any one have any knowledge of this also diam earth food grade? i thank everyone for your help.

 

[hen-thusiast]

Sounds like they have enough room, maybe lay off on the corn for a bit? I don't have experience with mites, but I don't see why it couldn't be possible. Have you seen any? I think food-grade DE is more of a preventative than a cure. I have heard people on here talk about Frontline, when we wormed our new chickens (still in quarantine), we used Ivermectin pour on for cattle. Killed the worms inside them as well as the lice. We got the dosage off of here. Seems to have worked so far.

Here's a link for the mites. https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-mites.html

Good luck!

 

[dmccann]

thank you i will try the pour on how much do i use and where do i put it?

 

[hen-thusiast]

Here's a great thread (mostly on worms, but talks about ivermectin):

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2525157#p2525157

From post #12
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[dmccann]

the past few days i used the blue coat spray twice a day. today worse . i have checked her for bugs could not see any . took her to the vet they could not find any either, but she still would pick the hole in her back, she is now on antibotics and all bandaged up she and the other one are have their own seperate area. why would they pick at a wound on themselves?thanks for all the help now feeding cat food too!