Pecking Feathers

newchick64

In the Brooder
Apr 23, 2018
30
24
39
South Coast - Massachusetts
I'm new to backyard chickens and hoping to get some expert advice from veteran chicken owners. I have 3 Amberlinks and 1 of them is pecking feathers out of the other two. Their bums are naked. I've been trying to figure out what the heck is going on with them. I was cleaning their coop and watched them for a while and saw one of them pecking feathers from the other two. The "pecker" is the only one with plumage on her butt so now all the pieces are falling into place. She is the culprit. What should I do next? It seems that when the other two have feathers finally growing in, they get pecked again. At least now I know the problem but not sure how to solve it. Thanks for any advice in advance.
 
Pinless peepers are the answer. I purchased 24 plus the tool to put them on on Amazon for around 13.00 dollars. These will stop it imediately and totally. What ages are your birds?
They are 10 months old. The run is 10 feet wide by 20 feet long. I have a net on top to prevent hawks from attacking them. They get locked in at night (there's a smaller run attached to their coop) to keep the predators out. I open the smaller run which gives them access to the larger run area first thing in the morning (around 5:45). I have areas for dust baths and logs for roosting. They usually get greens and/or some type of fruit etc. in the morning. I used to let them free range but lost one to a coyote.
 
Pork Pie list some great links to read.

It sounds like your birds have good space.

I would guess maybe they don't have enough protein in their feed.

Maybe switch to a 20% layer and see if that helps.

BUT at this point it might very well be a habit and the pinless peepers might be needed.
 
Pork Pie list some great links to read.

It sounds like your birds have good space.

I would guess maybe they don't have enough protein in their feed.

Maybe switch to a 20% layer and see if that helps.

BUT at this point it might very well be a habit and the pinless peepers might be needed.
I've been feeding them Dumor Organic Layer Pellets (16% protein). I'll have to research to find a feed that's higher in protein. Thank you so much for your advice.
 
Do you have roosts, hideouts, platforms, mini walls, where birds can get away from each other? Sometimes that will help too, but I would try the pin-less peepers.
 
They are 10 months old. The run is 10 feet wide by 20 feet long. I have a net on top to prevent hawks from attacking them. They get locked in at night (there's a smaller run attached to their coop) to keep the predators out. I open the smaller run which gives them access to the larger run area first thing in the morning (around 5:45). I have areas for dust baths and logs for roosting. They usually get greens and/or some type of fruit etc. in the morning. I used to let them free range but lost one to a coyote.
How big is this smaller coop and run?....pics would help.

Yes, more protein to offset the veg and fruit....

You could also feed some high protein treats like meal worms.
...and some animal protein, mealworms, scrambled eggs, canned fish are easy ones.
 

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