just a little frustrated (feather picking)

[clickchicks]

I'm not really sure what I'm asking for here, mostly venting.

I only have 3 hens, and one is getting feather picked to the point she's got multiple bald spots.

I posted about it here before, this started a couple of months ago and I isolated the "bully" hen who I thought was causing all the problems. That actually seemed to work, but then we had some very bad ice storms here in Texas and I took the birds into the garage to ride it out. I'm guessing that stressed them out and they're back at it again.

Thinking it may be lack of protein I switched to a higher protein grower food + offered oyster shells on the side for calcium. Posted a different thread recently about the hens going batty for snail shells, so on the recommendation of others I started adding in crushed eggshells in addition to the oyster. They ate the eggshell and continued to ignore the oyster. So, based on further recommendations, I went ahead and ordered a different high protein food that's meant for layers (its this one)

It just came in today so I'm sure there's no way to tell if it will help yet. I also ordered some Rooster Booster Pick-No-More and lathered it over all the picked-on areas. It seems to kind of work... they immediately wanted to pick at where I rubbed it, but as soon as they got some in their mouths they started shaking their heads and rubbing their beaks on the ground. I've been keeping an eye on them and so far I haven't seen anyone actually rip a feather since applying it, so maybe it will actually help.

Its annoying because it doesn't really look like bullying. All of the hens get on very well, they take dirt baths together, they never fight on the roost at night, don't squabble over food. When someone picks at the "victim" hen's feathers, they don't peck bare skin, they don't bite. They just rip out a feather or two, sometimes they eat them sometimes not. Often time the victim hen doesn't even seem to notice. She'll be picking at something on the ground or preening, etc and just lets them take the feathers.

I've checked them repeatedly for mites and can't find anything. They have lots of space... coop is 8x8 and the run is around 30x20. Multiple places to perch and roost, multiple places to get feed/water so no one has to be crowded. Flooring in the coop is currently hay and the run is mostly dirt with a thin layer of hay for them to scratch around in.

I'm sorry this is so long and I don't really have a question. Maybe someone has thoughts on the situation that could help.

 

[azygous]

I feel your frustration. I've been battling feather picking for thirteen years. The only real success, and it's only partial, I've had trying to stop feather picking is by putting pinless peepers on the culprits. I have five hens wearing peepers right now, but a couple of them seem to be able to continue picking in spite of them,

Many people, mostly those who've never had this in their flock, insist on telling you it's a protein deficiency and you need to feed more protein. I can testify with 100% certainty that most feather picking is a compulsive brain disorder. Nothing will cure the hens with this problem, except maybe by turning them into soup.

 

[Acre4Me]

Hmmm...that is frustrating!
You have plenty of protein and space. I hope the new pick-no-more helps. Pinless peepers can help too, as mentioned. But, it’s sometimes behavior that is hard to get rid of. I hope you are successful.

 

[aart]

most feather picking is a compulsive brain disorder. Nothing will cure the hens with this problem, except maybe by turning them into soup.

Ditto Dat!

Neurotic/compulsive birds don't survive here.
Solve for the peace of the flock.

 

[clickchicks]

Yeah. Pinless peepers are next. Culling is last resort but I appreciate that there are just cases that will never improve. These birds are pets first so it'll be hard to make a call like that, but there's still a few options to go through for now.

I have some chicks ordered for May, I'm wondering if mixing up the dynamic will help at all.

 

[clickchicks]

The frustration continues. The picking hen has been isolated again. The pick no more stuff does actually seem to be working, she seems to be leaving the original victim hen alone, but now she’s just picking feathers from the other bird.

Isolation worked the first time, at least for a while. Pinless peepers, here I come I guess. It’s really going to hurt if I have to remove this girl from the flock.

 

[06492Chicks]

The frustration continues. The picking hen has been isolated again. The pick no more stuff does actually seem to be working, she seems to be leaving the original victim hen alone, but now she’s just picking feathers from the other bird.

Isolation worked the first time, at least for a while. Pinless peepers, here I come I guess. It’s really going to hurt if I have to remove this girl from the flock.

I'm curious how things are going for you. I had some feather picking start back in January and it's only getting worse. 5 of my 6 girls have bare bums, and now 3 of the 6 also have some bare spots on their backs. I have seen one culprit, but because the damage is so widespread, I have to believe there's more than one hen to blame (especially because the one I'd blame also has a bare spot - albeit smaller - on her bum). I've upped protein, I've added suet and flock blocks, I've treated for mites/lice, and I'm trying to let them range a little every day when I get home from work . . . I'm feeling so frustrated and so worried!

Did you consider an apron? I'm thinking about that next.

 

[cassie]

There area a couple things you can try. Sometimes chickens pick feathers because they are bored. Try hanging something like a head of cabbage or lettuce in the coop for them to attack. I used to have a small hay feeder and I kept a flake of alfalfa in it. The alfalfa gave them something to pick at besides each other, and provided greens and extra protein.

 

[clickchicks]

I'm curious how things are going for you. I had some feather picking start back in January and it's only getting worse. 5 of my 6 girls have bare bums, and now 3 of the 6 also have some bare spots on their backs. I have seen one culprit, but because the damage is so widespread, I have to believe there's more than one hen to blame (especially because the one I'd blame also has a bare spot - albeit smaller - on her bum). I've upped protein, I've added suet and flock blocks, I've treated for mites/lice, and I'm trying to let them range a little every day when I get home from work . . . I'm feeling so frustrated and so worried!

Did you consider an apron? I'm thinking about that next.

The hen who is picking is currently in “time out” in a separate chicken tractor while the other grows her feathers back in. So nothing much to report since they physically have not had access to each other for a couple of weeks now. Once I add her back in I’ll try and remember to update. I’ve also got the pinless peepers handy as a last ditch thing if this doesn’t work.

oh and edit to add, I have not tried an apron because the picking isn’t just on the butt. She also picks at the feathers on the chest/neck, which the apron doesn’t protect.

 

[PapaRo]

I feel your frustration. I've been battling feather picking for thirteen years. The only real success, and it's only partial, I've had trying to stop feather picking is by putting pinless peepers on the culprits. I have five hens wearing peepers right now, but a couple of them seem to be able to continue picking in spite of them,

Many people, mostly those who've never had this in their flock, insist on telling you it's a protein deficiency and you need to feed more protein. I can testify with 100% certainty that most feather picking is a compulsive brain disorder. Nothing will cure the hens with this problem, except maybe by turning them into soup.

I second that ... but I have noticed that chickens or chicks that are the most non conforming and most mentally unstable tend to get picked on the most. It’s like the others know who’s the weakest genetically.... just a theory though