losing feathers? Pleae help

[hacharlton]

I have 95 4H Rhode Island Reds and a few are losing feathers on their backs. They are about 8 weeks old.
I have them in a pen that measures 16' x 10' outside area and a 16' X 8' hen house. These are all pullets. A couple have wing feathers missing but I think that may be them fighting.
any ideas? I started with 100 chicks. 3 got squished becasue the hen house door was shut by the wind during storms and the ones out side piled in a big pile. Why do they do that....do the chicks at the bottom of the pile try to move?

 

[chickenzoo]

They are picking on each other and ripping out feathers. try stringing up cabbage just high enough for them to peck, it will curb their boredom which is what picking stems from. Give more space if they seem crowded. Put wild bird seed under some hay for them to scratch and dig up.

 

[hacharlton]

Thanks for the reply. I know they have enough space during the day as they have the 16' x 10' outside run at night they have only a 10' x 6' hen house. I had been leaving the light on 24/7 for warmth. I can prob. turn it off and they might pick less while in the hen house. I might try the hanging cabbage too!

 

[chickenzoo]

Anything to help them not pick on each other. RIR seem to be prone to it, they get bored easy.. LOL

 

[hacharlton]

Perhaps a tv in the Hen house tuned into Animal Planet!!

 

[tammyd57]

That seems like an awful lot of chickens for the space you have.