New Member

[rking]

Hi. I live in Texas and I am new to raising chickens. My 7 ladies are 1 year old today. The group includes 1 Golden Sex Link , 3 Americanas and 3 silver Laced Wyandotte's. I have been having a problem with them picking each other for about 3 months. I have tried the Pick no More products on them and the blue clot spray. I have used aprons, changed to a higher protein feed , which I leave out all day and I have made many ladders and things for them to perch on. My coop is on a 15' x 10' concrete pad that is inclosed with a roof and chicken wire. I have thick plastic on the north side at this time to block the cold wind. There is a tunnel from this pen that connects to a 15' x 10' run, it also has a wire cover on top. I give them veggies, alfa or meal worm treats once a day. I have started letting them free range about 30 minutes each day when I am outside with them. We have a lot of hawks and coyotes in our area so I don't want to leave them out unattended. They seem to be going in a cycle of picking. They stop for a few days and they look better, then it starts again. I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do next. Does anyone have any advice for me?

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. This link may help - Feather pecking

Here are some helpful links:

• Great go-to resource - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[Chicken Chiquita]

Welcome to BYC!!! We are so glad you came to us, i hope our advice can help you and your flock out. Good luck with them, i hope everything works out for you!

 

[chrissynemetz]

Welcome to BYC!! It's nice to meet you!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Sometimes these picking issues turn into bad habits that are difficult to break. Are they plucking feathers and eating them? Or is this boredom and or agression?

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens Pork Pie has made good suggestions
this is a wonderful community

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Hello! Welcome to BYC!! I hope you get the problem figured out.

 

[CatWhisperer]

Welcome to BYC! Can you observe them to see if there is an instigator, are they all involved in the picking? What diet are you feeding exactly and how much and what treats are they getting?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Try adding more 'stuff' to the run. Do they have any wood chips or something like that to scratch through?

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC.
Can you post a few pictures of your coop set up?
What feed do you use?
Have you checked them well for lice and or mites?