Hens being pecked too.

[brwneggs]

Ny hens have been pecked on their backs. One Isa Brown, whom I call "queen bee" has no missing feathers. All the others have missing feathers. I lost one girl this week. She was ok, and one day I found her, huddled looking, back in the corner, eyes closed. She didnt lay any eggs that day. In the afternoon dad went out to find her dead layin in the middle of the coop. Now the other girl has bright pinkish red skin, where her feathers have been plucked. I am going to get some blu kote today, and try to pin her down and spray her. She is very skiddish-they all are. Except one that lets me pick her up.
I have read on here that they one reason they pick each other is because of protein. I will try to feed them tuna and yougurt today. I have read that if you feed them eggs, they start eating their own eggs. "Is that true????"
I will at least get some blu kote today. I have no room or extra area to store any hens seperated.
Any suggestions?
Thank you

 

[brwneggs]

I think what we decided today to do is get another Isa Brown rooster. That way the hens will stop picking on each other so much. The lady I ran into at TSC said they do better with a roo. She has Isa's, and they get along ok. She gave me a few pointers, and one was to buy chop. I bought some, and "boy" did they go to town.

 

[Lesa]

A rooster comes with problems of his own... Not sure that is going to satisfy your issue... Are you feeding layer pellets? Are they crowded? The death may have been unrelated to the feather loss.

 

[brwneggs]

That is what I told my dad it is not related to feather loss. I will have to measure the coop and let you know. Maybe we dont have it set up right? I am trying to do my best. Yes, a rooster will bring more problems. ???? At a loss....
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