Pecking

[cbblalock]

Our chickens are looking terrible with all the pecking. Skin is red and feathers are having difficulity growing back. We removed the roosters, and it continues. Any suggestions. We have Road Island Reds.

 

[BubbasGirls]

We have the same problem.. 4 RI reds, 4 Plymouth Rocks. If they are eating the feathers, try giving them x-tra protein. We use cat food, and when we have x-tra eggs we scramble them shells and all, and give it to them. It has helped.- They still have bare butts though..And if they have something to keep them busy like a head of cabbage, or something-that helps too.

 

[fiberart57]

Is there enough room for all of them?

The recommended minimum is 4 sq ft inside a house and 10 sq ft outside run per bird. I personally have found this not to great for my six so I added an additional 100 sq. ft of run space for them at an outside total of 160 sq ft. Then they are allowed to run about the yard for two or three hours per day.

Cramped space is one of the biggest causes of pecking and cannibalism. Once it starts, if they're in too close quarters, the victims have no where to go to get away and they can literally peck a bird to death. Pretty awful.

I also agree with the above recommendation of more protein. If you don't want to constantly give them cat food; a bit salty for daily use, you can buy a feed with higher protein levels.

Good luck, Mary