Pecking habit to break?

[SBaltz]

My one year olds have what seems like been pecking at each other. There doesn’t seem to be an order, but almost all of them are scrappy looking around their necks and or backs, no roosters here, their feed is layer crumble with what the bag says 16% crumble. When we discovered that our Brahma had her neck feathers all scruffy and pecked in half, I read up and chose to get calf manna protein pellets and have been giving those to the while flock (6) every couple of days to try and increase their protein. Now the Brahma and one of my Golden Sexlinks have crazy scruffy necks with their feathers broken all over their necks and 3 of the others with parts of their necks scruffy, both of my Golden Sexlinks have their top back feathers scruffy and I have watched two different birds pecking at each other, at the neck. No blood has been drawn and I rarely catch them at it. They free range from 7:30am-8:15 pm and they aren’t acting ill. We thought it could be mites, but have not yet seen evidence (we are checking again tonight). They dust bathe daily and I can’t tell if they are preening more or scratching more or just what!?! Here are a couple of photos I got this morning of what their necks look like (my Brahma and one of our Red Sexlinks). If this is pecking, will crushed sea kelp help? I read it would but haven’t given it to them yet. They don’t acted bored, but I can’t figure out what to do.

 

[nuthatched]

Are they molting? They could be not getting enough protein. Try switching to a higher protein feed like chick feed (non medicated), feather fixer, Flock raiser...

 

[SBaltz]

Are they molting? They could be not getting enough protein. Try switching to a higher protein feed like chick feed (non medicated), feather fixer, Flock raiser...

Would chick feed be an issue for them during the summer months when it is hotter and they are laying? I haven’t heard of feather fixer or flock raiser. I will check those out. The feathers look broken in half, the shafts are still there at the base, and on most of the birds, it is one side of their neck.

 

[nuthatched]

Would chick feed be an issue for them during the summer months when it is hotter and they are laying? I haven’t heard of feather fixer or flock raiser. I will check those out. The feathers look broken in half, the shafts are still there at the base, and on most of the birds, it is one side of their neck.

Chick feed would actual be better for them than layer feed, which only has the minimum amount of protein they need. You can have oyster shell on the side. Are the shafts rounded on the ends like a needle or truly snapped? If they are rounded-molting- snapped, more protein is needed asap.

 

[SBaltz]

Chick feed would actual be better for them than layer feed, which only has the minimum amount of protein they need. You can have oyster shell on the side. Are the shafts rounded on the ends like a needle or truly snapped? If they are rounded-molting- snapped, more protein is needed asap.

i forgot to add they have calcium (oyster shells) available next to their feed and rare treats of mealworms. Their shafts are snapped in half. I have been giving them calf manna, but will shift the feed. Why does the layer hen feed have less protein than the chick feed?

 

[SBaltz]

I tried to get a closer photo, but cooperation is interesting!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Why does the layer hen feed have less protein than the chick feed?

Chicks need more protein for development and growth. But layers still benefit from having more than minimal protein (16%) - the reason most layer feed has lower protein is cost. Protein (especially animal protein) is a more expensive feed component.

 

[aart]

No type of feed or supplement will repair those tattered feathers.
You'll have to wait until they molt for new feathers to grow in.

 

[LaFleche]

Could they be sticking their heads through a metal fence or similar? I have two hens that looooove to stick their heads through the metal deer fence and look tattered around the neck and breast because of it.

 

[SBaltz]

No type of feed or supplement will repair those tattered feathers.
You'll have to wait until they molt for new feathers to grow in.

I understand that, it is the habit I am trying to fix.