Loss of Feathers

[JDClark]

I have 19 red Bantam hens. A few months ago I noticed they were losing their feathers under their vent and their chests. After some research I treated for mites. Then I started noticing that the hens were eating feathers, theirs and other hens. Did more research and learned they needed to free range to increase the protein in their diet. They are also eating about half of the eggs they lay everyday, I have oyster shell calcium available 24 hours day. Also, got 2 Maran roosters and put in with them, research showed this was supposed to help with the bullying. But after one day I had to remove the roosters because the hens had pecked them in front of their tail and had them bleeding. They all free range together and the roosters are breeding the hens but some hens fight with the roosters. Some of the hens are starting to regrow their feathers where others aren't and have no feathers now from chest to vent. Not sure what else to try, any suggestions welcome.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

How old are your hens and what do you feed on a regular basis including treats and supplements?

What did you "treat" for mites with? How much space?

Very OFTEN the feather eating IS a behavioral problem that has ZERO to do with protein needs... while feathers are made from 90% protein AND it's amino acids, fact is they are only about 2% digestible protein! It's usually from over crowding or boredom.

What do you mean eating half the eggs they lay everyday? You feed them out or you have egg eaters?

WHY would you put TWO full sized Marans roosters over bantam hens... and WHO gave you that advice? Personally think that's a risky and poor choice IMO. I would get bantam boys for bantam hens to diminish the possibility of accidental injury.... ONLY IF I WANTED or NEEDED roosters. Adding boys is NOT really a good way to calm down your dynamics... ESPECIALLY if they are cockerels... roosters ARE a whole other animal than cockerels. Careful WHAT "research shows"... I disagree that having roosters help with bullying... While they can break up fights and such... in truth he is the biggest bully and controls every one... those who won't mate will get bullied by him.

Best way to control bullying... CULL! Give away, sell, or eat ANY bully. I control my flock dynamics and attitude IS key. You can't expect everyone to get along with their unchosen room mates... even humans can't do that when they choose their room mates. Time outs are effective as well.

What I mean to say is...
Hi, welcome to BYC!
There are a ton of good folks here all looking to help and learn from each other. We all have different experiences, set ups, environments, and mind sets. What works for your friend or neighbor might not work for you. Get all the information you can... make the best decision you can with the information you have and make changes if you learn something new or it simply isn't working for you.

Now lets get you some answers!

 

[JDClark]

How old are your hens and what do you feed on a regular basis including treats and supplements?

What did you "treat" for mites with? How much space?

Very OFTEN the feather eating IS a behavioral problem that has ZERO to do with protein needs... while feathers are made from 90% protein AND it's amino acids, fact is they are only about 2% digestible protein! It's usually from over crowding or boredom.

What do you mean eating half the eggs they lay everyday? You feed them out or you have egg eaters?

WHY would you put TWO full sized Marans roosters over bantam hens... and WHO gave you that advice? Personally think that's a risky and poor choice IMO. I would get bantam boys for bantam hens to diminish the possibility of accidental injury.... ONLY IF I WANTED or NEEDED roosters. Adding boys is NOT really a good way to calm down your dynamics... ESPECIALLY if they are cockerels... roosters ARE a whole other animal than cockerels. Careful WHAT "research shows"... I disagree that having roosters help with bullying... While they can break up fights and such... in truth he is the biggest bully and controls every one... those who won't mate will get bullied by him.

Best way to control bullying... CULL! Give away, sell, or eat ANY bully. I control my flock dynamics and attitude IS key. You can't expect everyone to get along with their unchosen room mates... even humans can't do that when they choose their room mates. Time outs are effective as well.

What I mean to say is...
Hi, welcome to BYC!
There are a ton of good folks here all looking to help and learn from each other. We all have different experiences, set ups, environments, and mind sets. What works for your friend or neighbor might not work for you. Get all the information you can... make the best decision you can with the information you have and make changes if you learn something new or it simply isn't working for you.

Now lets get you some answers!

OK My hens are 2 years old, the Marans are now 4 months old. I feed them a layer pellet, there is some available all the time. I treat with scratch in small amounts and then veggies out of my garden including tomatoes, zucchini and melons. I have dried corn on the corn from my father-in-laws farm.

I treated the mites with Permecrin II. The covered coop is 10ft x 20 ft and the open coop is 40 ft x40 ft.

No I'm not feeding them the eggs. When I go to gather eggs I find the shell of several. They aren't eating much of the shell mainly the insides. I now go out several times during the day and gather but there is still eaten ones.

Regarding the roosters, I have a book called Chickens for Dummies. It suggested putting roosters in to help with bullying. So being newer to chickens I went and bought a straight run of 6 Marans. Ended up with 3 hens 3 roosters. They have a separate coop from the other hens and are only together now during the day because they all free range. When they were put in with the hens they were 3 months old.

I need all the help and education I can get.

 

[aart]

I feed them a layer pellet, there is some available all the time. I treat with scratch in small amounts and then veggies out of my garden including tomatoes, zucchini and melons. I have dried corn on the corn from my father-in-laws farm.

They aren't eating much of the shell mainly the insides.

They are craving protein...cut out all the extras other than the layer feed.
Or switch to a higher protein feed...but still moderate the extras.