Mites, cats or feather picking?

[Crazy chicken lady 77]

I have 22 hens and 2 roos. About 1/2 my chickens are missing feathers around their necks. I have checked for mites but don't see any. There are cats around but I haven't noticed them bugging the chickens. I also haven't noticed a feather picker so I'm at a loss.

 

[Crazy chicken lady 77]

 

[nuthatched]

They're picking each other.

 

[Crazy chicken lady 77]

They're picking each other.

I like that answer better than the others. I guess I need to watch to see who the bully is. Probably one with feathers I'd assume

 

[nuthatched]

I like that answer better than the others. I guess I need to watch to see who the bully is. Probably one with feathers I'd assume

Not necessarily, and it's not necessarily one bird or "bullying" behavior.
Excessive grooming can be caused by boredom, space or diet.

 

[Crazy chicken lady 77]

Not necessarily, and it's not necessarily one bird or "bullying" behavior.
Excessive grooming can be caused by boredom, space or diet.

They have tons of space. Probably 40ftx60ft. I feed layer pellets and give scratch daily and mealworms weekly.

 

[nuthatched]

They have tons of space. Probably 40ftx60ft. I feed layer pellets and give scratch daily and mealworms weekly.

What protein is the layer? Scratch is supposed to be given a sparingly, so not every day

 

[Crazy chicken lady 77]

16% when I feed scratch I throw 2 handfuls for 24 birds so they don't get much. 2-3 times a week is probably more accurate

 

[townchicks]

Consider switching to a higher protein all flock feed, and offer oyster shell on the side. Roosters shouldn't be on layer feed anyway.