how to stop feather picking!!!???

[blueheaven]

before it was just a few chickens missing feathers...now it is even more. they are missing by the tail feathers.
i have never seen this before.

i have a few chix low in the pecking order whose butt feathers are gone. however, i have never seen it on top by the tail feathers.

i know it is a sign of needing more protein.
what are the best suggestions?

i don't know who is doing it, is the hard part.

 

[dkosh]

Have you checked for mites? Sometimes they pick themselves and each other when they are being bothered by mites. If you don't see any around the vent or under the wings. Go out at night and with a flash light check around the nests and roosts for red mites that only come out at night.