Is this concerning? Missing feathers on face.

[boatagor]

I have 4 chickens in my flock currently. Because of the time change, lately they have not been out of their coop/run during the week. They seem very unhappy in there, so this weekend we are adding a 10x10 dog kennel run to give them more space. Tonight while feeding them and visiting, I noticed my EE hen was missing a lot of feathers on her face. I checked all of the other ladies and no one else was missing feathers like this. Do you think she's sick, or is it possible they're fighting more with being cooped up more than usual? This is my daughter's hen and she is very attached, as I am. Could being restless/anxious have caused this? She is still laying about every other day, even with the shorter days. Thanks for any input!

 

[sunflour]

Looks like she may have been feather pecked IMO. Is she your only EE?

Good for you adding the extra space, hope it helps.

I had 6 hens in a space that should have been adequate but all but one had naked behinds and expanding the living area solve the problem.

 

[lazy gardener]

More info: What are the exact dimensions of your coop? Windows? Size of windows? What else in coop for ventilation? Did you not have an outdoor run available for them?

Birds stuck in a coop are bored. Bored birds have nothing better to do than pick on each other. Often, b/c EE have the facial fluff, they become a target of excessive grooming from other flock members. They will often sit still, while other birds happily groom the beards and muffs off their faces. The sooner you can provide them with a safe run that they can be out in during the day, (even if you are not home) the better for all concerned. Have you made plans to cover it to keep them safe from aerial predation? You can also set them up with deep litter, a few hay bales or pallets, and a perch or two. They will love you for it. Beware that digging predators will make short work of digging under that dog kennel.

 

[Eggcessive]

She has probably had her facial feathers pulled out by one of the other hens. This happens frequently to chickens with facial feathers when they are bored, or just hanging around inside the coop. Being able to get outside to roam around is helpful to prevent this. My chickens free range, but occasonally one will lose part of her muff or beard, or from another part. I have witnessed them standing there and letting another do it to them. Is she lower in the pecking order? When you let them into their new pen, you can place some stumps or a swing to climb on. Mine like to munch on grated up cabbage, and some sunflower hearts or a bit of scratch grains occasionally. Make sure they are getting plenty of protein in their feed.

 

[boatagor]

She is my only EE, and she is the smallest hen. However, she is the dominant hen so I'm not sure they would pick on her. She was hatched in March. I also have a BO the same age and a BO and an Australorp that were hatched in may.

I have a store bought coop with an attached run. It allows just under 10 sq ft per chicken. I figured that was adequate space since they get outside time as well. Prior to the time change they were let out into a fence from the time I get home until dark, which was about an hour. Now they aren't able to get out because it's already dark when I get home. I can't leave them out in there when I'm not home as we have Hawks and there's no way to attach a top to my fence. Also, this particular chicken LOVES to fly over the fence, despite clipped wings. On the weekends I have them out the entire day if someone is home.

Temps here have been in the 40's and 50's, last night it got down to 30. I have not done anything to my coop for winter, there is plenty of ventilation as the upper part of the coop area is open and the run is all hardware cloth. I've attached a picture of my coop.

 

[boatagor]

I've added a log to their run for something new to look at, I move it every couple of days. And every night I toss some goodies in there so they have something to occupy them the next day. Scratch, cracked corn, I tried fodder but they didn't like it. I'm trying it again but it's still growing. They have a couple of bird toys and bells.

 

[lazy gardener]

So, when you say they have been shut in their coop all week, I'm assuming that they have access to the run part of the coop/run as well? If so, while they are used to more space, and would benefit from more space, they should be ok, if they have access to the run part of the pre-fab during the day. I'd be a bit concerned about your treats diluting their protein, which may make the facial fluff more enticing. Even though she is high on the pecking order, that won't stop the others from "grooming" her fluff right off her face!

How much protein in their feed? You might try getting some animal protein into them.

 

[boatagor]

Yes, they have access to the run at all times. And if the space is the issue, that will be fixed after this weekend. Now I'm wondering about the treats, though, because she is the dominant hen and probably gets a bigger share of them because of that. I have them on layer crumble, I believe it's 16% protein? Maybe I will give meal works more often instead of scratch. Her eggs are still perfect. I'm glad no one thought it was mites, that would gross me out lol.

 

[MzGina]

I'm glad no one thought it was mites, that would gross me out lol.

Thats funny

 

[lazy gardener]

Just b/c no one raised that ?... don't mean it ain't so! It's always wise to do a close up mite inspection when ever you see something amiss with any of your birds, and even wiser to do one for no reason at all. Don't forget that mite inspection involves not only the birds, but their coop as well!!!