losing feather on the neck

[singinfree]

I have 4 white rocks left out of 5 with 2 of the 4 losing some feathers on there neck the first one that did this died today. the neck is full of hairless stocks it getting pretty cold here now so im worried the one die from cold do to this feather issue. I have 10 black astrolope that are fine. these are all born this past spring.

melissa

 

[Attack Chicken]

Are they moulting? Might want to keep them warm if they are.

 

[silkiechicken]

By any chance are those on the bottom of the pecking order and are having the feathers pulled out while being kept from food? That could make them bald on the necks and weak to the weather.

 

[singinfree]

these white rocks are pretty hardy birds and not really any pecking order i can see when i watch them so im just concerned about them dont want to lose more and i live off of the power grid so giving them heat would be hard.

melissa

 

[singinfree]

im noticing a little lose on the rear of one of the other 2
any thoughts

 

[silkiechicken]

Most pecking goes on when you aren't looking.

Maybe you can provide more info and we can make more suggestions.

Diet, number of birds total, coop space, run space, temperature, maybe your geographic location (for outdoor conditions), any changes recently, bedding, treats, roo/hen ratio, and stuff like that.

Have you checked for mites? Lice?

 

[singinfree]

ok lost 1 more today and a 3rd was looking bad bloody butt so i put it down. from a distance i dont see anything picking at them it only appears to be my white rocks that are affected
i feed scratch grains and layer pellets
melissa

 

[silkiechicken]

Cover up the blood spots and coat with an anti pick or a hot pick, or separate if possible. I suggest some how upping the protein as with cold weather and increased scratch eating, they might not be getting all they need so are going after each other to get the missing nutrients/protein.

 

[sovia]

I would bet that they ARE pecking at each other. Pull up a chair and just sit quietly for about 30-45 minutes watching your flock. That is what I did and I was horrified. I have still not stopped it completely and I have pretty much exhausted my options short of slaughtering the entire flock and starting over. There are a lot of members posting with similar issues. Try doing a search under "feather pecking, feather eating, cannibalism" etc. You are sure to find lots of material.

 

[singinfree]

well there was one left with neck feather issues and she has returned to full feathers so im over the hill and the weather has warmed up

melissa