Hen Picking Self - Pix - Help Please

[Poppycock]

My 7 month old pullets started feather picking each other when the snow started falling and they were cooped up in their coop for a few weeks. They get laying pellets, and a cup of scratch daily. When I noticed the feather picking, I started increasing their protein by feeding them scrambled eggs and BOSS everyday, and cat food a couple of times a week. I also just added AviaCharge 2000 today. I have been applying Vicks Vapo Rub which seems to be helping some, and I also started using Rooster Booster Pick No More Lotion today. No blood drawn, just major picked feathers on two of the 9. I shovel their run a bit to encourage them to go outside on nicer days, I've hung cabbages, and sprinkle the BOSS in the shavings for them to scratch around in. I don't think they are crowded - 9 pullets in a 7X7 coop plus an additional area for nesting boxes and 2 large roosts, plus a 20X20 outside run. I've included a couple of pictures of the worst one. I haven't noticed any of the others pecking her - I've watched her and she is pecking herself. Her butt is bare and now she has moved to her legs. I don't have any light on them, I've checked for mites and lice and don't see any, and she scrambles for food like the rest so her appetite is fine. Her poop is normal as well. Any other suggestions I should try? I'm afraid I'm going to find her frozen to death due to lack of feather coverage.

 

[Poohbear]

Her butt sure looks distended. Is she fat? That could be an egg broken inside her. Tie a head of cabbage inside the coop. If she doesn't have an egg broken in her then in all likelyhood, she is just needing some calcium or nutrient shes not getting while cooped up. Try smearing some vaseline on her butt too. They sell "No Pick" at co-op but I've never had to use it. Usually some stale bread treats or greens like the cabbage tied in the coop will stop a bored hen from mischief like feather picking.

 

[fan101]

I have this same problem has been going on since the end of summer my hens are 10 months old and they started this about 3 months ago i also checked for mites but do not see anything i also placed pecking blocks in coop but there is no sign of any improvement or feathers coming back very concerned?

 

[mylilchix]

Glad I found this post. I have a light brahma who looks the same way!! She lost most of her tail feathers back in November, and nothing has grown back! Now her behinds getting even more bare. Today I discovered one of the few tail feathers left was broken, so I cleaned the wound and put anti-pick lotion on it. Wouldn't you know it, she ate it all off. This leads me to believe that it wasn't her buddies pecking her, she was doing it to herself!! Any suggestions on how to cure this problem. Poor thing looks awful!

Sonja

 

[MoodyChicken]

I have an RIR hen with this same problem. I believe it's a tumor or some kind of reproductive issue. My hen is fine, she's had it for a year, but ever since she's started laying misshapen eggs. I don't think it's any cause for alarm. You can treat it with Metacam, but you will have to treat her every day for the rest of her life. Metacam is an antiinflamitory, prescribtion only, and it costs about $30 for a small bottle that lasts a long while. If you want the dosage, please let me know.

 

[chickorama]

maybe pecking order problems??