Help! Red Bottomed Girls! Pics Added.

[nuttyredhead]

I thought this was due to the overactive roo, but he was sent to the freezer almost 3 weeks ago!

Any ideas? I have checked them for mites and cant find anything.

 

[Judy]

That's not typical roo damage, which is usually on their back (the top of the chicken.) Looks like feather picking. I'd double check for mites / lice, too, including at night.

http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8162.pdf


My chickens are pecking/eating each other's feathers:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=34705
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=31291
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=36139
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=30486

 

[CMV]

I am going to agree with Flockwatcher on this one. You have some feather picking going on. Increase their protein intake by switching from layer feed to grower feed. Treat them to some BOSS for another protein source.

Then start observing them. You are likely going to need to separate the worst of the offenders for a couple weeks. Do it quickly. This is a habit that spreads through the flock and before you know it you have half the flock ripping out feathers.

Good luck.

 

[nuttyredhead]

Thank you both. I do have 2 girls in Chicken jail, and I have some chicken aprons on the way so hopefully it will give them time to regrow. I will switch to grower and pick up some boss and see if it helps.

How long do i need to keep the picker locked up?

 

[CMV]

At least a couple weeks. You want the other birds to forget her so when she re-enters the flock she will be like a new bird. Hopefully, she will be so busy protecting herself that she won't have the opportunity to pick at the other girls. If the behavior continues then she will keep needing to be locked up until she is re-educated. It's a tough habit to break, I won't lie. I tried everything last year when dealing with the same issue. I ended up having to cull the highest tier of my pecking order out to stop it. I never could get them to stop. I had one low girl that was able to be saved. She is still with the flock.