Mean and Bald Chickens

[RichardRockhead]

So I currently have 8 hens. Three of my hens are separated from my other five as I am trying to introduce them to each other (they are new editions). Both flocks have a separate coop and run that are right next to each other, so they can get use to seeing each other without injuring each other. I let them free range as one flock often but whenever they are together they fight pretty severely. Now with this being said, I have had issues with feather picking in the past. The main chicken that was feather picking died, and now it seems that there isn't a whole lot of pecking in my original flock. Three out of the five original birds that I have are missing a lot of feathers. My rhode island red has never had a tail since I got her when she was a chick. My sumatra is missing a lot of feathers on her neck and rear near her vent. My barred cochin is missing a lot of feathers near her rear end, and I'm pretty sure she is doing this herself because she is hot because of summer. My chickens have no mites, as I treat for them constantly. None of my hens are broody either. I would love to hear some advice on how to integrate them, and how to help them grow feathers back.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Feather picking is often from a protein deficiency or from boredom, or crowding. What are you feeding? And what size is your set up?

Integrating adults birds is hard because they will see each other as intruders into their territory. They will try to drive each other out, or kill each other. You basically need to wait until the birds forget they are strangers. It can take months.

 

[Mrs. K]

If you have them separate, and they are calm next to each other, switch them around into the other set up. Do it a couple of times, and then open it up. If they still fight, pull out the meanest two, into one coop. Then let the remaining six, 3 old + 3 new work it out. They may scuffle, but it will even numbers and give it a week. Then open it up.

Do make sure that there are hide outs and multiple feeders.

As for feathers- they will not improve until late fall after they molt. After the frost, when insects are gone here, up the protein in the feed as they go into molt. You just have to wait for feather repair.

Mrs K