Hen acting weird

[TwitchysChicks]

Theyre picking eachothers feathers off so I'm guessing its mites. I don't see them on them tho. Just stressed out tired birds. They all dusted in a bowl to get it really on them.

 

[TwitchysChicks]

This is my second winter with them so looking back, my hens that are looking and acting crappy....would be their first molt. They turn 2 next Spring. They were only a half year old last winter. So this is my first year of molting chickens.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post a picture of their whole housing?
Do they stay on that ledge all the time?

I would put the feed in a feeder or a container that is secured somehow, there will be lest waste that way and it will stay cleaner.
Sometimes a chicken will eat feathers that they find, I would make sure they have a source of grit (crushed granite) since they do not go outside.
Extra protein is always a good idea for molters - egg, tuna, meat and I usually give poultry vitamins once a week too.

Re-treat them for lice/mites at 7 day intervals with a Permethrin based poultry spray or dust.

 

[TwitchysChicks]

1. Only the 7 dont come off. My pom pom used to go outside but is afraid of everyone else. The one brown hen has cataracts so she stays up there. Thise are my new hens. They used to walk around the coop but now theyre up there.
2.I had feeders up there but they kick them off. I got a corner hanging feeder for them coming Friday.
3. Theyre all pecking each other. Going to get more eggs tomorrow with more layer feed.
4. I shook the mealworm bag at the newest weird acting hen and she ran/walked without the high step. Maybe the permethrin worked fast?
5. Ill look for their vitamins too.
The ones on the nesting boxes are about 3 1/2 to 8 yrs of age

 

[ChickNanny13]

Have you tried a feed with higher protein that layer?
I used to feed layer but switched to Flock Raiser (20%) with Oyster Shells in a separate dish. Never had an issue with egg shells, in fact I'd say the shells are stronger. If your girls are feather picking, they're lacking in protein.
I ferment their feed; no feed waste & nice poop benefits ....
https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

 

[TwitchysChicks]

Everything gets wiped off every morning and afternoon. Most of them refuse to sleep on the roost. I need to make a better one.

 

[TwitchysChicks]

Have you tried a feed with higher protein that layer?
I used to feed layer but switched to Flock Raiser (20%) with Oyster Shells in a separate dish. Never had an issue with egg shells, in fact I'd say the shells are stronger. If your girls are feather picking, they're lacking in protein.
I ferment their feed; no feed waste & nice poop benefits ....
https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

I wonder if canfields has that... And I started reading the article but got a virus ad halfway down. I do water some crumbles for my retarded roo but thats not fermentation. Ill need to see if canfields has flock raiser. I'm thinking layer was their highest

 

[TwitchysChicks]

I wonder if canfields has that... And I started reading the article but got a virus ad halfway down. I do water some crumbles for my retarded roo but thats not fermentation. Ill need to see if canfields has flock raiser. I'm thinking layer was their highest

https://www.nrsworld.com/purina-ani...fLnIPiJc8eqybjxztAOgeOoNXg5Nm0shoCsJAQAvD_BwE

 

[TwitchysChicks]

Ive never seen anything like this. Not tell you the shipping? Looking at other sites

 

[TwitchysChicks]

Can you post a picture of their whole housing?
Do they stay on that ledge all the time?

I would put the feed in a feeder or a container that is secured somehow, there will be lest waste that way and it will stay cleaner.
Sometimes a chicken will eat feathers that they find, I would make sure they have a source of grit (crushed granite) since they do not go outside.
Extra protein is always a good idea for molters - egg, tuna, meat and I usually give poultry vitamins once a week too.

Re-treat them for lice/mites at 7 day intervals with a Permethrin based poultry spray or dust.

I've posted a pic of their coop. If you guys have a better roost plan,please link it