I am a new Member! I have a lot of questions.

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Emmanuelle

Emmanuelle

In the Brooder
Feb 28, 2018
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Good Morning Everyone!
I recently built a coop and now have 11 chickens. I started with 9 and added one rescue hen last fall. Then another rescue hen a couple of weeks ago. I am joining this forum because I am having a lot of trouble with my hens. They are pecking each other a lot. I am going to take pictures today of the problem. Mostly their back feathers are gone and also around their vent and under their bellies. Some have no feathers on their legs and one is having problems around her neck. I also noticed some black specs on their combs. This started to happen during the coldest time, they also started laying a few weeks before that. I have a lamp to heat the coop when it is really cold out. The thermostat on it starts when temperatures in the coop are 33 degrees F and shuts off when the temperature in the coop is 44 degrees F. My coop is fairly large. I have three nesting boxes and the floor surface is the size of a regular plywood sheet. It is elevated off the ground and also is pretty spacey. It is insulated as well and I have been changing the shavings regularly. Until yesterday their roost was not slanted. I fixed that yesterday to see if this would change the dynamics a little.
Again I will be taking pictures and adding them to my questions.
Please, Please, Please help me! Thanks! Emmanuelle
 
Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC! :frow
:yesss:We are glad you joined our flock.
Jump right in and make yourself at home.
Have you checked them for lice and or mites?
Pics of your birds and coop will help.
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If the hens weren’t properly integrated they will be bullied harshly by the others. The black spots on the combs were frostbite spots, Vaseline prevents and helps frostbite. The feathers were probably pulled out by the bullies. I don’t recommend the heat lamp unless it’s -20F. My pullets pulled through a few days of -15F.
 
ChickenGirl555 said:
If the hens weren’t properly integrated they will be bullied harshly by the others. The black spots on the combs were frostbite spots, Vaseline prevents and helps frostbite. The feathers were probably pulled out by the bullies. I don’t recommend the heat lamp unless it’s -20F. My pullets pulled through a few days of -15F.
Click to expand...
Hi!
Thanks for your reply. Most of my flock was raised together from chick-hood. When I integrated the older hen, nothing like this happened. It did not start until they started laying this winter. I am starting another thread and will post pictures with it so you guys can have a better idea. I am a beginner! Also, we had some - 25 and lower this winter. This is why I put some heat in there. Currently, the heat is not on because it is warm outside. Again thanks for the help. I value your input. Kindly, Emmanuelle
 
Emmanuelle said:
Hi!
Thanks for your reply. Most of my flock was raised together from chick-hood. When I integrated the older hen, nothing like this happened. It did not start until they started laying this winter. I am starting another thread and will post pictures with it so you guys can have a better idea. I am a beginner! Also, we had some - 25 and lower this winter. This is why I put some heat in there. Currently, the heat is not on because it is warm outside. Again thanks for the help. I value your input. Kindly, Emmanuelle
Click to expand...
Oh I apologize, I thought you had the heat lamp on in 33F weather! I bet since they are maturing with the first egg, that it's stirring up some problems either with the pecking order or room in the coop. I'm not the best to ask for room to chicken ratios, I love chickens too much!!
 
Welcome aboard to BYC family gr8 people tons of information loads of fun enjoy shake your tail feathers
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:welcome

You mention that the coop floor is about the size of a sheet of plywood, what are the actual dimensions of your coop? They could be fussing with each other because they don't have enough room. And because of the cold, they are probably spending more time inside the coop. The rule of thumb for space is at least 4 sq. feet per bird in the coop and that does not include space taken up by nesting boxes, feeders or waterers, etc.

Please think twice about using a heat lamp in the coop. Every winter we get stories here on BYC about someone's coop burning down and the loss of a flock due to a lamp. Our Wyoming winters get very cold and I've never heated the coop (the birds have done well without it).

Best wishes to you!
 
Will you please post the link to your new thread when you get it up?
My hens have been having the same pecking problem. One is missing a bunch of feathers just in front of her tail. Another has been pecked at so much that her comb is bloody and scabbed up.
I'm interested in what other have to say about it.

Good luck!
 

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