My flock is a mess...

[RichardRockhead]

So basically I live in a small town and are only allowed to have 6 chickens with my current permit (hopefully I will have get a permit for a couple more). I have a rhode island red, a black sumatra, two black minorcas, a barred rock, and a barred rock cochin. I originally had three black sumatras with the minorcas and the red as they were sold to me all as minorcas. I got them as pullets and they were around 3 months old. I gave away two of the sumatras as they arent condusive to egg laying and replaced them with two free barred rocks that were next to featherless due to some idiot putting them in a shed with the biggest damn rhode island red rooster I ever saw (I just felt bad). They were around a year old when I got them and were great layers. However one of them did not grow back any feathers on her wings or tail in a period of three months. She was picked on by the rest of the flock, and was in pain so we dispatched her. The other barred grew her back and wings back no problem, but her tail is still messed up after three months. I dont think it will ever grow back. I replaced the barred with a barred cochin at my mothers request. I think she is a little to old to lay, but is a sweetheart of chicken. My rhode island red is around 8 months of age now and still no eggs, and the same goes for my sumatra (and yes I know sumatras dont lay well but my mother is in love with the chicken). So only three out of my six hens lay and Im frustrated as all hell. I know the red isnt an egg eater because she spends no time in the nest box at all, and the same goes for the sumatra. We did have a mite problem for a bit but its under control now. I dont see a real reason for them to not lay. I dont understand why the barred rocks tail wont grow back. And with winter around the corner Im concerned for the barreds well being. All I know is if there isnt anything I can do about these things, my flock will be entirely different come spring. Please if anyone has any helpful advice it would be greatly appreciated. Oh and I live in Massachussets so the winter will probably be brutal.

 

[RichardRockhead]

Oh and I used blukote on all of the bare spots on the barred...

 

[coach723]

Many birds will taper off laying or stop completely this time of year as the days get shorter. They need at least 14 hours of daylight to stimulate egg laying. It will normally pick back up again in the spring when the days start to get longer again. It can also vary with breed and age of the birds, older birds will lay less often than younger birds. Laying usually starts to taper off gradually after 2 years of age. Birds will also generally molt around this time and that will also cause a stop in laying. It takes a lot of protein to grow feathers, and they can't make feathers and eggs at the same time. Birds that have lost feathers due to feather picking will often not grow them back until their next molt, and sometimes it takes a long time. If you have birds molting or growing feathers then increasing the protein in their diet can help. If you are feeding a 16% layer feed, then changing to a 18 - 20% protein grower feed or flock raiser may help, but it will still take time. If you feed a non-layer feed then make sure to offer oyster shell free choice in a separate feeder at all times for calcium, they will take what they need. The non-layer feeds don't have enough calcium for laying hens, but those that aren't laying don't need the extra. Hope that helps some.

 

[chickens really]

Your Bird will need to moult before it grows back it's missing feathers..Yes, up the protein and if birds are not laying ? Layer feed is not good...I feed Grower all year it's 18% protein and supply oyster shell in a separate bowl..