None stop issues

[JadeB]

Have you figured out which birds are the aggressors?
Pulling the bully for awhile lets the rest of the flock reset the pecking order. When the bully gets brought back, she'll start at the bottom of the order, and that generally fixes the issue.

I’m not 100% sure, I thought I knew who it was, so I separated her, but then another one started. Then I noticed a few patches of missing feathers on her. I’m not sure if one of them started and now they’re all doing the same.

 

[JadeB]

What are you feeding them?
If everything was fine for months and then they suddenly started to cannibalize each other exactly at molting time, then it's most likely a protein deficiency. Add more protein to their daily ration. If they want meat so bad they're eating each other, give them meat. Minced beef, organ meat, boiled chicken, fish, whatever is cheaper.
Even the health issues might be caused by nutritional deficiencies. It takes months for a nutritional deficiency to show up, and it can be dramatic. It also takes months for nutritional deficiencies to disappear after correcting the diet.
Try a different brand of feed, 20% all flock or if you can't find it, feed them chickstarter with oyster shells on the side, free choice.
In the mean time, add daily high protein meat/fish treats.

I’ve been giving them a 16% feed, I’ll have a look for 20%. But when it was happening I started happening I did get a protein booster and nothing changed. I haven’t tried giving them meat though. So I’ll give that a go. Thank you.

 

[JadeB]

Hi,

Sorry for your frustration.

Feather picking can be caused by several things, but the two most common are a lack of protein and overcrowding.

Adult chickens should have 4 square feet per bird in their coops, and 15 square feet each in their run. Less than that, and boredom, anxiety, etc. can set in.

You can either supplement protein every day or every couple of days, or switch to an all-flock with 20% protein, then supplement with oyster shell on the side. We feed everyone here, chicks, chickens, and ducks, Kalmbach's Flock Maker crumbles.

Vent gleet usually is a whitish yellowish discharge from the vent that stinks. If you really believe your hen or hens have that, get some Monistat or the equivalent, and after bathing and drying their beehinds, smear some of that on their vents and give them a small amount, like pea-size on your finger, orally. Do this a couple of times a day for three or four days and that should take care of it.

I'd get some probiotics for their water. Hydro-hen is one, but there are many. Kalmbach's makes one called Lifeguard which is crumbles that can be mixed into their feed. You could also give them each about 1/4 cup of yogurt, Greek yogurt is best, per day for a few days. I'd do the probiotics in water or feed a couple of times a week to prevent it from recurring. Plus, that balances their flora and helps their digestive tract.

Hi, thank you. I think my feed is too low in protein. So I’ll go look for a new one. Another poster has suggested I have more than enough space so I don’t think it could be that. But I’m not sure if I have enough enrichment either.

Hmmm no the discharge is clear and it has no smell. So maybe it’s not vent gleet. I wonder if it’s just stress from the bullying and feather plucking?

I’ve been using probiotics and Greek yoghurt too.

Thanks for you help

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Definitely agree with upping the protein. Lots of folks on here feed all-flock and oyster shell on the side