I don't know what to do!!!

[Hennyhandler]

I have some chickens that have feathers missing on the base of the tail so I assumed that it was the rooster. I ordered some saddles and put them on. When I went out there to be with them which hasn't happened in a while I realized that they seem to be nibbling at their feathers. I know some of it was the elastic on the saddles but that wasn't all of it because ones that didn't have one on was doing it and they weren't all doing it in that area. I wonder if it might be bugs or something else besides the rooster.

I have one chicken that stood in the corner and ruffled her feathers for a little bit. I have noticed watery urine but who it came from I'm not sure. I worry soo much now. I don't know what to do and ALL I want to do is fix this.

I don't know if one thing has to do with the other or not. PLEASE help though.

 

[fluffnstuff]

It sounds like feather pecking. They are bored so they have nothing else to do or they need more protien in their diet. Try giving them some dried cat food. I use to have bigger chickens (buff orpingtons, sex cell links, wyndottes, ameruacanas) and they loved it. It was a treat and it kept them from pulling each others feathers out. It also helped them when they were molting becuase their feathers came in faster. Try it and i hope it works.

 

[chookchick]

If they are actually eating the feathers, then there is definitely a protein deficiency issue. Like flufnnsutff says, small amounts of cat food will help, you can also use meal worms, sunflower seeds, low-salt fish, cooked egg, etc.. for treats right now. Cut out scratch and bread and other high-carb treats.

If they are pecking at each other, they are probably also bored--have they been stuck in the coop due to weather? Make sure they have plenty of room, food in the coop, stuff to do like hanging cabbage heads, etc...

Please give us more info--how old are these chickens? What is their diet? How big is their coop? etc...Look them over very carefully for lice or mites, especially around the vent area (look for nits at base of feathers).

 

[Hennyhandler]

I haven't left them in the coop and they have a good size run. Yes the ground is dirt at this point. they get scratch and just recently I have been giving them sunflower seeds. I have looked for mites or lice yet I couldn't find any sign of any. Just want to make sure since it could be the rooster or the mites or lice.