MY CHICKENS ARE PLUCKING THEMSELVES TO DEATH

[21hens-incharge]

We have had a lot of migrating birds. Mites are very irritating to birds and itch like mad.
Couple that with molting season and You get naked birds.

Other than needing inspected for mites and lice I agree they need more space.

I suggest there are improvements that need made to the coop and run.

Bare minimum space would be a 4x4 coop that is at least 4' tall in the roosting space. I don't see an actual roost in the coop. The roost needs to have 18" or more above their heads of open space.

Anyhoo....check for mites and please build a big run for them. One you can add thing to like stumps, leaves, and branches.

 

[gluckgluck9000]

Do you let them out daily to roam about your yard and scratch and stretch their legs or are they incarcerated in this minute space all the time?

Yes I let them out every morning until dark and they walk themselves back into the coop to sleep.

 

[gluckgluck9000]

That cage would be good for a family of quails but really you need a bigger cage for the hens. Either that, or you let them out for a free roam all day

Hi I let them free roam all day everyday

 

[gluckgluck9000]

My only guess is that’s way too small of an area and they are bored to death. Once a chicken creates a bald spot they become obsessed with that area and will continue to pluck....

Hello,
Thanks for your response. I do let them free roam in the backyard all day and it's a big yard. They still peck themselves /:

 

[gluckgluck9000]

We have had a lot of migrating birds. Mites are very irritating to birds and itch like mad.
Couple that with molting season and You get naked birds.

Other than needing inspected for mites and lice I agree they need more space.

I suggest there are improvements that need made to the coop and run.

Bare minimum space would be a 4x4 coop that is at least 4' tall in the roosting space. I don't see an actual roost in the coop. The roost needs to have 18" or more above their heads of open space.

Anyhoo....check for mites and please build a big run for them. One you can add thing to like stumps, leaves, and branches.

Hi,

I let them out all day everyday, do I still need a bigger coop if they are just sleeping and laying in there at night? Also would the mites be visible?

 

[Neggative]

maybe the need some social distancing. could separate them for a week... only thing i can think of and i give it about a 10% chance of working... how much calcium is in that mash... could give them sum crushed oyster shell... my chickens wont eat it tho.... hope you get something figured out!

 

[gluckgluck9000]

I can think of two reasons:
1. Boredom. They need more space
2. Protein. Feathers are high in protein and when a chicken starts eating them, it could be a sign that they need more protein in their diet.

Hi,

Thank you for your response, any suggested sources of protein for them?

 

[Neggative]

only thing i can think of is oyster shell.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

Hi,

Thank you for your response, any suggested sources of protein for them?

Well, check your protein on your feed bag right now, see how much protein that has.
Mealworms and scrambled eggs are also high in protein, and those could be used as treats. Meaning like 1 or 2 times a week.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

only thing i can think of is oyster shell.

Oyster shell helps with calcium.