Red butt

[Twinsmommy0426]

i have only had chickens for a year. We have eight hens and one rooster. Our rooster is a barred rock. I just noticed this evening after throwing them scraps that his butt under his tail is featherless and red. He seems fine otherwise. I have had to get saddles for all but one hen because he is mating a lot. Could that be the cause?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like he's being feather picked potentially. Pictures would help. What are you feeding? Feather picking can be from a protein deficiency or from boredom and crowding.

 

[Twinsmommy0426]

Sounds like he's being feather picked potentially. Pictures would help. What are you feeding? Feather picking can be from a protein deficiency or from boredom and crowding.

I feed 16% layer feed. They also have a large run to forage in. Our coop is about 6’ x 4’. We did have a smaller run over winter. Possibly this started then. It was so cold and snowy they were in there most of the time. We had nine hens and him all winter. Lost a hen free ranging a few months ago. I also feed them fermented food and scratch plus scraps from the house. I’ll try and get a picture tomorrow

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

When feeding a 16% layer, it is formulated to be fed as the sole ration. Adding extras can dilute the minimum daily protein requirements that can lead to deficiencies. I recommend feeding a higher protein all flock if you wish to feed extras, most are 18-20% protein. Your rooster shouldn't be eating a layer anyways. That extra calcium can be hard on them.

 

[Twinsmommy0426]

When feeding a 16% layer, it is formulated to be fed as the sole ration. Adding extras can dilute the minimum daily protein requirements that can lead to deficiencies. I recommend feeding a higher protein all flock if you wish to feed extras, most are 18-20% protein. Your rooster shouldn't be eating a layer anyways. That extra calcium can be hard on them.

How do I feed a rooster separate food. They are all in the same run and coop.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How do I feed a rooster separate food. They are all in the same run and coop.

I feed an All Flock with a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs. You can also feed a non medicated starter grower. A layer isn't necessary.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I feed an All Flock with a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs. You can also feed a non medicated starter grower. A layer isn't necessary.

I switched to a grower with 20% protein, and it has made my life much easier. No more worrying about what feed to give whom or how much protein they all get when free ranging part of every day.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I switched to a grower with 20% protein, and it has made my life much easier. No more worrying about what feed to give whom or how much protein they all get when free ranging part of every day.

My flock has been much better too. On a layer I had feather, and egg eating, as well as shell quality problems. Life is simple feeding everyone the same.