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[back run coop]

I have 18hens and 1 rooster . The hens are pulling out feather out of there backs . I been be toting the black sunflowers seeds and mealworms . But they are still picking , they have. 20 Ft by 20ft yard to run. What can I do???

 

[iwiw60]

Have you checked them for mites and/or lice?

 

[sourland]

If you are sure that they are feather plucking/eating, Pinless Peepers may solve the problem.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

Give them a once over for bugs and other health issues. You can add cooked ground meat to their diet a couple times a week to up the protein. Make sure you are not crowding them in. They will turn on each other and pluck feathers. Boredom will do this too. So keep them occupied with things to do. If you do have a very aggressive bird, pinless peepers are an option. I used them on a hen that was aggressive for years with the other hens. If the rooster is over mating them and causing bare spots on the hens, the hens may also pluck feathers from these bare spots.

Good luck with your flock and welcome to ours!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! You've gotten some good advice above, the Learning Center also has a nice article on helping stop bully/pecking behavior. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/bullying-behavior-in-chickens

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

 

[roostersandhens]

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

For clarity's sake - are you certain that it is picking? Meaning you have physically seen the birds picking the feathers? If so, are they picking their own or are you seeing them pick the feathers of other birds in the flock but not their own? The reason I ask to be sure it is picking is that it could also be rooster damage.

 

[gander007]

 

[drumstick diva]

Sounds like it could be rooster damage, if it isn't all your girls. Sounds like he has a bigger harem than he can handle - usually its 10 hens to 1 rooster) but he may just be overbreeding his favorites.