Pecking order or other issue?

[Robg]

Our first flock and we’ve been through a lot in the past month. Doing our best and want to make sure we aren’t missing anything. Appreciate reading and any thought!! We have some feather loss and comb concerns, hoping folks can help us with understanding our situation.

• Currently 6 chickens, all 9 months and laying.
• Coop - 8x6 with a covered run that’s another 12x8 (I think) and chickens can go under the coop.
• Live in Seattle, we are getting snow and below freezing these days

Our last month...

• Our favorite, but always a bit odd chicken passed away suddenly. She showed no signs of illness prior. Nothing obvious when I looked at her.
• Looking close at other chickens we noticed one had wounds consistent with rough mating from our rooster. The rooster had also gone after our children a couple times recently. We made the hard decision to re home.
• Within days we lost a hen to a hawk. Yes, I’ve lost sleep over the rooster decision

So we went from 9 chickens to 6 in a short period of time. The remaining chickens have also gone from having a rooster and free ranging at least a few hours a day to being in the run. We had started to let them free range the last few days which made them happy, and then the snow came.

Our issues...

• Feather loss - we think this is from pecking order, but I haven’t seen much pecking when I watch them. There are 2 hens that have it the worst, 1 with some and 3 with none
• Comb - the ones with feather loss also seem pale and a couple have black spots. It has dipped below freezing here, but it looks more like pecking than frostbite. Pics attached

They seem to be doing better but the weather doesn’t help. We’ve been giving more mealworms, some carrots, yogurt to help while they are in the run. For protein and entertainment.

I’ve gone over them a bunch looking for mites and have seen no signs. I noticed one had diarrhea today, but yesterday I saw a few normal poos. We have been keeping the ice off the water but wondering if they might be a bit dehydrated? ill keep an eye on this.

We are getting 2 eggs a day or so. Attached some pics of the comb and feather loss.

Through all my research and observation, I believe this is stress, boredom and establishing pecking order. Doing our best to combat those and would love any other opinions in case I am missing something.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would shovel some paths in your snow so they can still venture out in the yard to free range. Also it might help to put some things in your chicken run to climb on such as large rocks, tree stumps, a swing, and some use a hanging cabbage to help with boredom. It does sound like they are rearranging their pecking order, and I would watch to see if anyone is a bully that needs to be separated. Some use pinless peepers on identified bullies for awhile to limit pecking.

 

[Robg]

Thanks! I haven’t seen the bullying and will keep and eye out.

 

[micstrachan]

The first two appear to be going through a soft molt. Adding enrichment to the run to help with behavior issues is a great idea. I would also consider an occasionally high protein treat (meat) to support the feather growth. Good luck!