Help Please!

[DimondaleBergs]

I have 12 hens that are all just over a year old! They are black sex links, and red sex links. I get about 10 eggs a day now that the days are longer, and never went below 6 a day during the long, cold winter.
My problem lies with this....out of the 12, I only have THREE that aren't missing feathers...some are missing a lot. Now, I know that this isn't necessarily something to worry about, but the fact that this has been going on since last OCTOBER is the part that concerns me. We've treated for mites over and over, added more protein...cleaned the coop every few weeks (on top of the whole treating for mites process), and all to no avail. Some of the girls look like they are never going to have feather grow back in these spots. Most all seem to be on their backs, and bellies, but a few even have them missing on their chests and legs!
I'm at my wits end on what to do for my girls.

The three hens that don't seem to have a problem, are also the bigger ones out of the flock. I've watched to see if any one is doing the picking, but when I'm watching, all I'm seeing is that they all seem to pick at each other.

I'm PRAYING that someone here can help me figure out what is causing this, and what to do to correct it!

Thanks in advance!
Steph

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you actually found mites on them? I would guess that at least one, or maybe all of the 3 girls with best feathers is your feather picker. Do you let them out to free range during the daylight? Lack of protein, boredom, and lack of room are usually factors in feather picking. It can become a habit that is hard to break. Sometimes the use of anti picking lotions can help.

 

[cafarmgirl]

If you are actually seeing them picking at each other then I think you've answered the question. Now to solve the problem. How much space does this flock have in the coop and run and do they ever get out into a larger area to forage? Getting them into as much space as you possibly can may help. And it may not. Sometimes once a flock gets this nasty habit into their heads it's very hard to get them to stop.

 

[DimondaleBergs]

Have you actually found mites on them? I would guess that at least one, or maybe all of the 3 girls with best feathers is your feather picker. Do you let them out to free range during the daylight? Lack of protein, boredom, and lack of room are usually factors in feather picking. It can become a habit that is hard to break. Sometimes the use of anti picking lotions can help.

I haven't seen any mites on them, but in the beginning that's what was suggested might be the problem I can't let them free range as we are prohibited from doing that where I live, but we have tried adding more protein to their diet. I give them black oil seeds, greens and have gotten the flock block too. Do you have any other suggestions for other foods to add more protein?
I was wondering if I shouldn't separate the three from the rest and see if that helps the situation?

 

[DimondaleBergs]

If you are actually seeing them picking at each other then I think you've answered the question. Now to solve the problem. How much space does this flock have in the coop and run and do they ever get out into a larger area to forage? Getting them into as much space as you possibly can may help. And it may not. Sometimes once a flock gets this nasty habit into their heads it's very hard to get them to stop.

The indoor coop is 8'x12' and we are actually going to add onto it this summer. The outdoor run is an odd shaped space. Part of it measures 7'x 12' (this is a covered area so they get a break from the sun ) and then they have a 8'x16' space. I live in Michigan, so this winter was a bit hard, but they still had access to the covered area when it was in the negative temps. This problem actually started late last summer/early fall. Like I said in my other response, I've thought about separating the three with no feather issues, and seeing if it makes a difference. But, as a newish chicken parent, I'm not sure if I should do this or not.
Thanks for any help!

 

[Eggcessive]

I haven't seen any mites on them, but in the beginning that's what was suggested might be the problem I can't let them free range as we are prohibited from doing that where I live, but we have tried adding more protein to their diet. I give them black oil seeds, greens and have gotten the flock block too. Do you have any other suggestions for other foods to add more protein?
I was wondering if I shouldn't separate the three from the rest and see if that helps the situation?

If you can separate them it might help, but then you would have to re-integrate which has problems. More room is always better. Maybe a temporary fence in the coop during the daytime? Sunflower seeds only have about 10% protein, so I would put them on a flock raiser 20% feed or supplement their layer with 24% gamebird feed. Dry cat feed is also high in protein, but don't go overboard. Put out some crushed oyster shell for free feeding since flock raiser has lower calcium in it.

 

[subhanalah]

Separating the bully(ies) will rearrange the pecking order, but it may be a good idea to thin your flock since you can't let them range and have more room. I believe they are just overcrowded.

 

[Brookliner]

If you haven't tried hanging a cabbage put an eye screw into the core and hang it at head height so they have to reach for it. I hang mine by a chain from a crossbar in the coop or you could hand it in your run. Mealworms are also high in protein and they love them. You could also try putting hen aprons on the worst ones. I would also separate the hens with the most feathers. When you integrate them back into the flock they will have to regain their place and the your other hens will have had a chance to refeather and get used to their aprons. Good luck.

 

[DimondaleBergs]

If you haven't tried hanging a cabbage put an eye screw into the core and hang it at head height so they have to reach for it. I hang mine by a chain from a crossbar in the coop or you could hand it in your run. Mealworms are also high in protein and they love them. You could also try putting hen aprons on the worst ones. I would also separate the hens with the most feathers. When you integrate them back into the flock they will have to regain their place and the your other hens will have had a chance to refeather and get used to their aprons. Good luck.

I have the fluffiest ones separated...my question is how long should I keep them apart? Don't want to cave in to early...or leave them out to long. lol Ahhh the complexities of being mom to hens.

 

[Brookliner]

I would keep them separated for 10 days. While they are separated I would take the opportunity to look each hen over really well. Perhaps spray "blue kote" available at your feed store. It is antibiotic and has gentian violet in it. Spray it on the parts of the picked on hens that are bare of feathers or have wounds. This will help disguise the lack of feathers and any scabs so there will be less picking when you put them back together. If you have put aprons on the worst picked ones it will give them time to get used to the aprons. Make sure that the "blue kote" is also on the picked places under the aprons. DO WEAR RUBBER GLOVES WHEN YOU USE THE "BLUE KOTE" or you will also have purple hands. WEAR OLD CLOTHES THAT YOU DON"T CARE IF THEY TURN PURPLE. I have found that SOFT SCRUB will get the "Blue Kote" off counter tops. Also if you get it on your hands scrub with Soft Scrub and then put lotion on.(Wonder how I know this...I forgot the gloves last time.)
Do the reintegration at night. Just put the hens back on the roost after dark...hopefully they will wake up the next morning and think nothing of the new hens (aka old hens). Good Luck.