MY CHICKENS ARE PLUCKING THEMSELVES TO DEATH

[gluckgluck9000]

only thing i can think of is oyster shell.

Next time I go to buy more feed I'll pick some up! should I just mix it in with their food?

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

Next time I go to buy more feed I'll pick some up! should I just mix it in with their food?

Oyster shell can be put in a dish and left to the side of the food. They will eat it when they need it. You won't need much for 2 hens.

 

[gluckgluck9000]

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.

Okay thanks! I have some dried meal worms I feed them as treats, I'm scared if I feed them eggs they will like the taste and start eating their own eggs in the coop

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

Okay thanks! I have some dried meal worms I feed them as treats, I'm scared if I feed them eggs they will like the taste and start eating their own eggs in the coop

As long as they are scrambled they should be okay
I regularly feed eggshells to my chickens and have been known to throw a cracked - but still whole - one (making sure it's fully smashed) in with them because it isn't fit for human consumption.

 

[coach723]

I still think you need more space for them to roost at night, and something they can actually roost on. Some birds like to or don't mind snuggling close, others demand space. And roosting time is a pecking order time too. I would try to provide a better place for them to actually roost at night so they can decide to be close to each other , or not, and that may help a lot.
Feeding cooked and chopped egg, or scrambled egg will not make them egg eaters in the nest box. Most of the time egg eating starts when an egg is accidentally broken in the nest box or elsewhere, it's eaten and they discover they like it. Cooked/scrambled eggs are not going to be associated with the eggs they lay.

 

[21hens-incharge]

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?

I would make a bigger roosting space with an actual roost. I know it is not always an easy thing to do. Those of us who have built a lot of things over the years generally have tools and skills it takes time to acquire.

Maybe look at pallet coops. Those can be pretty effective for a small number of birds without a lot of tools or skills needed.

Mites and lice would be most visible when doing a night inspection. Use a small flashlight and part the feathers all the way to the skin near the vent, under the wings and at the base of the neck. Look for tiny (mites are smaller than pepper) light grey things on the skin. Lice are a bit bigger but would also be on the skin. Lice and mites lay eggs on feather shafts making them look like a cotton swab.

Protein..... Canned mackerel (I buy it at dollar tree) is a good protein booster. For 2 birds you need only give a tablespoon a day to help them out. Don't be shocked that canned mackerel is whole (minus heads, fins and guts) the bones in it are cooked and fine for the birds to eat. In fact those bones provide calcium.

I can tell you my birds are defensive of their roosting space. I have a couple high ranking birds that will not tolerate another bird near them at night. Any bird attempting to roost near the top bird gets pecked. If they have no where to go things can get very ugly.

 

[gluckgluck9000]

As long as they are scrambled they should be okay
I regularly feed eggshells to my chickens and have been known to throw a cracked - but still whole - one (making sure it's fully smashed) in with them because it isn't fit for human consumption.

Great to know thank you

 

[gluckgluck9000]

I would make a bigger roosting space with an actual roost. I know it is not always an easy thing to do. Those of us who have built a lot of things over the years generally have tools and skills it takes time to acquire.

Maybe look at pallet coops. Those can be pretty effective for a small number of birds without a lot of tools or skills needed.

Mites and lice would be most visible when doing a night inspection. Use a small flashlight and part the feathers all the way to the skin near the vent, under the wings and at the base of the neck. Look for tiny (mites are smaller than pepper) light grey things on the skin. Lice are a bit bigger but would also be on the skin. Lice and mites lay eggs on feather shafts making them look like a cotton swab.

Protein..... Canned mackerel (I buy it at dollar tree) is a good protein booster. For 2 birds you need only give a tablespoon a day to help them out. Don't be shocked that canned mackerel is whole (minus heads, fins and guts) the bones in it are cooked and fine for the birds to eat. In fact those bones provide calcium.

I can tell you my birds are defensive of their roosting space. I have a couple high ranking birds that will not tolerate another bird near them at night. Any bird attempting to roost near the top bird gets pecked. If they have no where to go things can get very ugly.

Thank you for this thorough response, I will most definitely be making a trip to the Dollar Tree tomorrow.

I will also go inspect them now that it's night here.

Do you think it's possible to renovate the coop I have already to make it suitable for them or should I really just go buy a new one? My problems is that I'm in college and money is tight, but I also don't know how to build things haha. I want my chickens to be happy and healthy but I will most likely have to say goodbye to them in close to 1 and 1/2 years because I will be moving from my college town. It's hard to decide how much to spend on my sweet little buddies.

 

[gluckgluck9000]

I still think you need more space for them to roost at night, and something they can actually roost on. Some birds like to or don't mind snuggling close, others demand space. And roosting time is a pecking order time too. I would try to provide a better place for them to actually roost at night so they can decide to be close to each other , or not, and that may help a lot.
Feeding cooked and chopped egg, or scrambled egg will not make them egg eaters in the nest box. Most of the time egg eating starts when an egg is accidentally broken in the nest box or elsewhere, it's eaten and they discover they like it. Cooked/scrambled eggs are not going to be associated with the eggs they lay.

Thank you for this information, I appreciate your time! Good to know about the eggs, and also I might have to go buy them a new coop then. It's a hard decision because as I mentioned in a recent reply I am in college and money is tight, but I want them to be happy.

 

[gluckgluck9000]

I would make a bigger roosting space with an actual roost. I know it is not always an easy thing to do. Those of us who have built a lot of things over the years generally have tools and skills it takes time to acquire.

Maybe look at pallet coops. Those can be pretty effective for a small number of birds without a lot of tools or skills needed.

Mites and lice would be most visible when doing a night inspection. Use a small flashlight and part the feathers all the way to the skin near the vent, under the wings and at the base of the neck. Look for tiny (mites are smaller than pepper) light grey things on the skin. Lice are a bit bigger but would also be on the skin. Lice and mites lay eggs on feather shafts making them look like a cotton swab.

Protein..... Canned mackerel (I buy it at dollar tree) is a good protein booster. For 2 birds you need only give a tablespoon a day to help them out. Don't be shocked that canned mackerel is whole (minus heads, fins and guts) the bones in it are cooked and fine for the birds to eat. In fact those bones provide calcium.

I can tell you my birds are defensive of their roosting space. I have a couple high ranking birds that will not tolerate another bird near them at night. Any bird attempting to roost near the top bird gets pecked. If they have no where to go things can get very ugly.

Hi also one tablespoon a day for EACH chicken (2 total) or 1 for them both together? How should I feed it to them?