Hens and roosters losing tail feathers

[rickrocks]

We have hens and roosters that have bald behinds and up the back.
The other hens peck them until they bleed and then the sick chick
just gives up.

We have put the blue antiseptic on them.

Why won't the feathers grow back. I has been over 2 months and
they are still naked.

 

[Chicky Tocks]

It sounds like you're chickens are going into a hard molt. They'll be growing new feathers in place of the ones they lost. The younger birds aren't molting yet because usually this doesn't start until they're at the very least a year and a half old. By spring, your older birds should be fully feathered again.

 

[Matt A NC]

If this is a pecking problem then something it wrong. How much space they have? Number of birds? How many hens per Roo? What are you feeding them? Treats?

Have you checked for mites/lice?

Matt

 

[rickrocks]

Thanks for the info. However, all my chickens are about the same age within 3-4 weeks.
I got the chicks in Jan & Feb. They are outside during the day except when they go inside
to lay or just rest inside the house. We have a large chicken house with lots of ventilation.
Food and Water are available both inside and out.
I think my chickens started laying early and some of the hens have laid REALLY BIG
eggs, (90grams). The hens and roosters started losing the feathers before they were
moved to the big house. We thought maybe it was stress, but that was done in June.

Some of the hens have gotten the soft down feathers coming in. I am only worried
about the ones that are bald. We have several varieties. We have had a few to
suddenly die. The only thing we could find wrong was the bald butts.

I have noticed that some of the hens that were bleeding from being pecked
seemed to have an unusually large butt hole.

I am sure you can tell this chicken raising is new to me. We both had parents who
raised chickens and I can tell you, this is not a problem my folks had. I am
kind of at a loss to figure out what is wrong. My supplier does not know and
our local vets don't do chicks.

 

[ranchhand]

What do you feed them?

And it's called the vent.

 

[FlashPointFarm]

You may want to try getting some Peepers. The pecking will stop. Once a chicken sees blood, they HAVE to peck at it. The bare backs may be from damaged feather follicles? They may not grow back.

 

[rickrocks]

We have about 15 Roosters and probably 200 hens.
We took in more hens because someone ordered them and
did not take the order. They were needing a home, so we
took them to help the seller.
We have Buffs, white leghorns, RI reds, silver laced, gold laced,
dominiques, and some more varieties, I just can't remember the
names now.
Our house is approx. 50x50 and we have two fenced in yards
for the chicks that covers probably 1/4 acre.
Most of the chicks get along well. We the laying boxes in the
house with ample room for feed, water, roosting.
Some of the hens want to stay outside under the roofed
patio in front, at night.
They are eating well and laying well. It is just that when
the pecking starts, it gets bloody.

 

[rickrocks]

Quote:
Starter grower feed mixed with some cracked corn and something My husband puts
in for a cal. supplement.

 

[rickrocks]

Quote:
No mites or lice. We had our supplier also check for us.

About 15 Roos
200 hens.
50x50 house
1/4 acre fenced yard

These chicks like bread