One chicken with a bald patch

[Lady423]

Great advice. I will definitely try the scrambled eggs. I didn’t realize how many roosters we had until we got the chickens. They just walk in circles around their coop.

I’ve included another pic. I went out and gave the girls some oats and they were all super into it but the chicken with the bald spot. I also noticed she has a couple of red spots on her eyes if you zoom in. They look kind of raw

One or more of her flock mates are feather plucking.

Yes leave it alone, she's a pro at growing feathers.
You can give her scrambled or boiled eggs to give her added protein to speed it up a little and make it easier if you want to.
The wild roosters, oh boy. Yeah unless you do want rooster wear on your ladies you do want to supervise their outings.

 

[Lady423]

Now that I noticed her eye, I’m wondering if someone is pecking at her. What should I do to stop them

 

[Chickassan]

Well, first of all we need to figure out why it is happening to begin with. How big is the enclosure you have them in? They are at an age where they're just jerks to each other so with her already being slightly "off" if they don't have enough space they'll pick on her. You can also give the other ladies eggs as well, it seems like if they're full up on protein they aren't such buttholes to each other.

Now that I noticed her eye, I’m wondering if someone is pecking at her. What should I do to stop them

 

[Lady423]

Well, first of all we need to figure out why it is happening to begin with. How big is the enclosure you have them in? They are at an age where they're just jerks to each other so with her already being slightly "off" if they don't have enough space they'll pick on her. You can also give the other ladies eggs as well, it seems like if they're full up on protein they aren't such buttholes to each other.

We just have one of those premade coops. We are working on building a bigger run this weekend. I’ve had them for less than 2 weeks and am afraid to let them free range. I heard to keep them in for a while or they will run away. We have a lot of land and it would be hard to catch them if they take off. I have 4 @18 weeks (2 Rhode Island, 2 ameraucana). Thanks for all the help! I have no idea what I’m doing yet!

 

[Chickassan]

Ok, well you are one step ahead building a bigger run. That coop/run combo is much too small for them not to get bored and pecky. As for letting them range, if they have been going inside and roosting by themselves at dusk then you are pretty safe to let them roam a bit "aside from the wild roosters that is". If you want you can train them to come to you. Buy some live mealworms or superworms, pick a container you can use a cup or really anything but keep up with it because it has to stick around. Put some worms in your container and go feed your chickens, make sure they see you getting those delicious worms out of your container. Repeat the process for a few days, you'll start to notice they'll perk up when they see your container. Once they make the connection you'll be able to walk out with it and have everyone come right to you.

We just have one of those premade coops. We are working on building a bigger run this weekend. I’ve had them for less than 2 weeks and am afraid to let them free range. I heard to keep them in for a while or they will run away. We have a lot of land and it would be hard to catch them if they take off. I have 4 @18 weeks (2 Rhode Island, 2 ameraucana). Thanks for all the help! I have no idea what I’m doing yet!

 

[Lady423]

I’m thinking about letting them out for a while since we will be home all day tomorrow. They go in the coop themselves at dusk but they don’t roost yet. When I go to shut their door, I find them all snuggled in the corner. Does that matter?

How big of a run would you recommend? I would really like for them to free range at some point but am feeling a little nervous with the roosters and neighbors dog, it will definitely have to be supervised

Also, I think you are right about the hens being pecky. Went to check on them today and the three hens were roosting while the other sat at the edge of the coop looking like she wished she could join