large areas of missing feathers on chickens back

[cmerk]

We love our chickens. Some have names even. We have been dealing with them plucking feathers off each other. We have actually seen them do it. We tried giving them pork meal with their food. The coop is twice the size suggested for our number of hens. They have a paddock to use on a daily basis and have been seen out even in last winters terrible snow and temperatures.

The hen I saw pluck feathers off now has a small spot on her back. I don't think she could have done that on herself.

Any suggestions are welcome. We are first time poultry lovers.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That's tough. What is their primary feed that makes up 90% of their diet?

Feather picking is usually a need for more protein when there is sufficient space. How long did you give pork meal and how much?

 

[4 the Birds]

We love our chickens. Some have names even. We have been dealing with them plucking feathers off each other. We have actually seen them do it. We tried giving them pork meal with their food. The coop is twice the size suggested for our number of hens. They have a paddock to use on a daily basis and have been seen out even in last winters terrible snow and temperatures.

The hen I saw pluck feathers off now has a small spot on her back. I don't think she could have done that on herself.

Any suggestions are welcome. We are first time poultry lovers.

Do you have a rooster? Our case is not lack of protein but simply due to the rooter mounting a favorite hen or two. We have 30 hens and only a couple have bare backs due to being popular with the roos.

Also hens at the bottom of the pecking order will get picked on the most in confined quarters.