Loss of feathers

[Bpatton11]

This is our first year with chickens. We got them from Tractor Supply 12 in June and 5 in July. They are great egg layers, 12 to 15 eggs a day between the 17. We live in Indiana. But they lost feathers on their buttocks and tops of backs abut 4 to 6 weeks ago. All hens no roosters. I have been spraying Premo for mites but only the coop not the birds because it has been 0 or negative degrees for over a week and didnt want to freeze my chickens. I also put DM in the coop, have sand in the coop and run. What is going on and what can I do????

 

[nuthatched]

What's Dm?
It looks like they're picking each other?
What's their diet and coop size?

 

[Bpatton11]

What's Dm?
It looks like they're picking each other?
What's their diet and coop size?

diatomaceous earth
Layer crumble mixed with scratch grains and then we give them left over veggies with sunflowers or dried worms as a treat as we have 9 inches of snow and they can't get out of the coop.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do they actually have any mites or lice, or their eggs on the skin of the chickens? No need to treat for mites or lice if you don’t see them. Spend some time with them to see if they are pecking out feathers and eating them. It looks like feather picking by other flock members. They do this sometimes out of a lack of protein in the diet or too many treats that dilute the protein in their feed. Sometimes they are bored from not getting outside to free range or too little room in the coop and run. I would spray the red skin with BluKote, increase their feed to a 20% all flock feed and no scratch or corn, and put some crushed oyster shell out for the layers to take as needed. If they are cooped up, consider making it bigger, and put some things of interest for them to explore and climb around on. If only one bird is pulling out the feathers, you could try using pinless peepers on the bully, to prevent them from seeing the object of pecking.

 

[Bpatton11]

Do they actually have any mites or lice, or their eggs on the skin of the chickens? No need to treat for mites or lice if you don’t see them. Spend some time with them to see if they are pecking out feathers and eating them. It looks like feather picking by other flock members. They do this sometimes out of a lack of protein in the diet or too many treats that dilute the protein in their feed. Sometimes they are bored from not getting outside to free range or too little room in the coop and run. I would spray the red skin with BluKote, increase their feed to a 20% all flock feed and no scratch or corn, and put some crushed oyster shell out for the layers to take as needed. If they are cooped up, consider making it bigger, and put some things of interest for them to explore and climb around on. If only one bird is pulling out the feathers, you could try using pinless peepers on the bully, to prevent them from seeing the object of pecking.

Thanks so much for your reply. We have looked at them and not seen any bugs even went at night and checked them. I did notice that 1 had a few feathers growing in but by afternoon someone had picked them out and there was a little bloody spot. I will watch them and make some things to help with the bordem. I can only find 16% layer feed here. I will call around and see if there is something else.
Do you recommend supplementing with eggs or even tuna for extra protein?
Can we still eat their eggs if I put BluKote?

 

[FunClucks]

You can supplement with raw eggs, cooked eggs (scrambled or boiled, no seasoning). You can just smash up the entire egg, shell and all, and feed it back to them, raw or cooked. This is the best source of complete protein that they need, but they'll need more than you can provide if you're just feeding their own eggs back to them.

For additional protein, any type of low fat unseasoned meat that you might eat yourself is good. I feed mine freezer burned ground beef - I boil it then put it out in the run. I also give them the carcasses of roasted chickens (no/minimal seasoning, especially minimize salt) and let them pick the meat off the bones. Fish or shellfish meat, skin, scales, bones, etc. Whatever is locally available. Insect protein is also excellent, but may not be available this time of year. This can provide temporary protein increase, but won't have all the trace nutrients important for complete health like formulated chicken feed does.

Long term, you'll want 20% all flock feed, whatever is available locally. I like Purina Flockraiser or Dumor chick starter (20% protein). Some chick starter is 20% protein - that is perfect and everyone can eat it year round. Set out supplemental calcium (oyster shell) and grit, and they'll be good.

To break the habit of picking each other, look into pinless peepers and chicken saddles in addition to the advice given by others above. Here's my favorite saddles below - they help feathers beneath it grow back without interference. These saddles last for years, are super durable, washable, and adjustable. These will shield areas on the back, and some of the base of the tail. Worth every penny.

 

[FunClucks]

Thanks so much for your reply. We have looked at them and not seen any bugs even went at night and checked them. I did notice that 1 had a few feathers growing in but by afternoon someone had picked them out and there was a little bloody spot. I will watch them and make some things to help with the bordem. I can only find 16% layer feed here. I will call around and see if there is something else.
Do you recommend supplementing with eggs or even tuna for extra protein?
Can we still eat their eggs if I put BluKote?

Blukote will not impact their eggs at all. You can eat their eggs just fine. Tuna is a good protein source, but I hesitate to feed them too much sodium - they don't deal with it well. Washing the tuna might help remove more of the sodium.

 

[nuthatched]

diatomaceous earth
Layer crumble mixed with scratch grains and then we give them left over veggies with sunflowers or dried worms as a treat as we have 9 inches of snow and they can't get out of the coop.

Diotomaeceous Earth is ineffective for pests and harmful for you and them to breathe.
X3, cut all the junk food out of their diet and find a starter/grower feed to feed with oyster shell.

 

[Eggcessive]

Most feed stores carry Purina Flock Raiser or chick starter grower can also be used. Some meat bird feeds can be mixed with layer feed to increase protein. But I would also address any problem with overcrowding or boredom. Eggs or rinsed tuna, or unsalted ground meat in small amounts can raise protein levels. But a balanced chicken feed is always the best for them.

 

[fldiver97]

Thanks so much for your reply. We have looked at them and not seen any bugs even went at night and checked them. I did notice that 1 had a few feathers growing in but by afternoon someone had picked them out and there was a little bloody spot. I will watch them and make some things to help with the bordem. I can only find 16% layer feed here. I will call around and see if there is something else.
Do you recommend supplementing with eggs or even tuna for extra protein?
Can we still eat their eggs if I put BluKote?

They have some 20% protein feed called ‘feather fixer’ or you can ask for all flock feed Also 20% protein. Less calcium in both but as long as you keep a dish with crushed oyster shells available at all times the laying birds can supplement as needed. Don’t mix scratch in feed, use scratch grains very sparingly if any. You give some meal worms for treats but your flock needs more protein. Layer feed is 16% usually, adding scratch grains brings it down more.
More space if possible, boredom busters like dried leaves with a few mealworms or black oil sunflower seeds scattered on to keep them scratching, I often poke a metal spike through a head of cabbage and hand it so the chickens can peck at it helps keep them busy