Red featherless butts

[4Kids 8Chicks]

Not sure what this is? We’ve had hens for 12 years and I’ve never seen this before… they seem normal- laying fine.

Wondering about too many in too small of space. ? We’ve always had 10 but maybe this Sapphire Gem breed is more prone to something? Thoughts???

 

[tlcmurphy]

You’ve got a feather plucker, usually out of boredom or because they need more protein in their feed.
How big is your coop/run?
What do you feed?

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

This can be caused by three different things:

• A rooster overbreeding the hens. (Which calls for either the rooster needing rehomed or killed.)
• A hen who is feather-picking out of boredom or improper feed. (Least likely because, while feather-pickers do target the vent area, the base of the tail-back area is not a commonly targeted location.)
• A hen who is mating the other hens. (This does happen, most often when a flock does not have a rooster and the hen wants to take the place of one, or when a hen's hormones are malfunctioning and therefore turning her behavior rooster-like.)

 

[4Kids 8Chicks]

You’ve got a feather plucker, usually out of boredom or because they need more protein in their feed.
How big is your coop/run?
What do you feed?

Feed is from TSC- can’t remember the brand now. How do you add protein? Give chick feed???

I’ll measure coop

 

[4Kids 8Chicks]

This can be caused by three different things:

• A rooster overbreeding the hens. (Which calls for either the rooster needing rehomed or killed.)
• A hen who is feather-picking out of boredom or improper feed. (Least likely because, while feather-pickers do target the vent area, the base of the tail-back area is not a commonly targeted location.)
• A hen who is mating the other hens. (This does happen, most often when a flock does not have a rooster and the hen wants to take the place of one, or when a hen's hormones are malfunctioning and therefore turning her behavior rooster-like.)

Wow that’s weird! Never heard of that. We have no roosters. We are in the city.

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

Feed is from TSC- can’t remember the brand now. How do you add protein? Give chick feed???

The best protein level is 18%, though most feed companies sell feed with only 16% protein because of the costs of making it. 16% is fine too, but again, 18% is the best.

Wow that’s weird! Never heard of that. We have no roosters. We are in the city.

It looks like you either have a hen overbreeding the other hens or a feather-picker, then. A hen who mates other females will often be crowing and attacking humans too—not always, but it happens a lot in accordance to hen-mating.

 

[4Kids 8Chicks]

Wow that’s weird! Never heard of that. We have no roosters. We are in the city.

Thank you!!!

 

[4Kids 8Chicks]

Thanks so much! Going to try more protein!!!

 

[tlcmurphy]

Try for 20% protein, All Flock or something similar. I don’t feed layer feed because the protein is too low, just make sure to have oyster shell available if they’re laying.

Feather pluckers can pluck from anywhere, usually the victim’s rear as they’re running off, but can be their back too. The feathers will grow back when they molt.

I had an Extreme Feather Plucker before I let them free range, she had an Olympic Gold in the sport, and her 2 sisters were literally butt-naked.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Not sure what this is? We’ve had hens for 12 years and I’ve never seen this before… they seem normal- laying fine.

Wondering about too many in too small of space. ? We’ve always had 10 but maybe this Sapphire Gem breed is more prone to something? Thoughts???

Looks like feather picking, but all are affected, even the EE.

How much space do you have?

I'd consider dusting them all with a Permethrin based poultry dust. Spray the housing with a Permethrin based poultry spray, making sure to get the roosts and nesting boxes too.

Could be they have formed a bad habit of feather picking and eating. Extra protein may be helpful, hard to know. You can add protein by feeding an all flock/flock raiser or chick feed or give them bits of egg, meat or fish a few times a week to boost protein.

Those feathers won't be replaced until they all molt. If the picking continues even with some changes, then pinless peepers are a possible solution.

This can be caused by three different things:

• A rooster overbreeding the hens. (Which calls for either the rooster needing rehomed or killed.)
• A hen who is feather-picking out of boredom or improper feed. (Least likely because, while feather-pickers do target the vent area, the base of the tail-back area is not a commonly targeted location.)
• A hen who is mating the other hens. (This does happen, most often when a flock does not have a rooster and the hen wants to take the place of one, or when a hen's hormones are malfunctioning and therefore turning her behavior rooster-like.)

A rooster doesn't have to be killed for overmating hens. He can be separated out to give the hens a break. Saddles can be placed on hens to protect backs.