Rooster lost his tail feathers

[Tinabuglaw]

We took in a rooster a couple months ago and he's very sweet and gentleman like. Problem is, he lets his ladies pluck the feathers off his neck. As a result, he has Red skin showing on his neck.

But that's not all! Couple days ago, I noticed that his entire tail is gone, except one feather!. So, I'm wondering if the ladies are plucking his tail too?

 

[nuthatched]

What do your ladies eat and how big is your coop for how many birds?
Red skin usually means mites.

 

[Tinabuglaw]

What do your ladies eat and how big is your coop for how many birds?
Red skin usually means mites.

They eat layer pellets, fly grubs, and weeds. The coop is 12' x 65'. WWE have 12 hens and 1 rooster. I don't think he has mites.

 

[nuthatched]

They eat layer pellets, fly grubs, and weeds. The coop is 12' x 65'. WWE have 12 hens and 1 rooster. I don't think he has mites.

Ok, you'll want to switch to flock raiser with oyster shell on the side, I think your girls lack protein so they're picking and your rooster shouldn't have layer anyway. Hopefully that will solve it.

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

Try using an all-flock feed with oyster shells on the side which will give your rooster the nutrients he needs.

 

[Tinabuglaw]

Ok, you'll want to switch to flock raiser with oyster shell on the side, I think your girls lack protein so they're picking and your rooster shouldn't have layer anyway. Hopefully that will solve it.

OMG! I do use oyster shells I forgot to mention that. I get them in a separate bag and mix them in. The Grubbs help supplement significantly too. If I feed what you say flock pellets, will they still be able to have enough to lay eggs? I'm so confused I never heard of all this. I have a hundred pounds of layer feed still hanging around. Is there a way that I can get them more protein if you think they need it? I give them four or five hefty handfuls of grubs every day.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Feeding layer to roosters long term will cause serious problems because of the excess calcium. Ideally, you'd feed all flock pellets and out the oyster shell in a separate feeder/bowl. The roosters won't eat the oyster. The oyster will give the hens the additional calcium they need to lay eggs.

 

[Tinabuglaw]

Feeding layer to roosters long term will cause serious problems because of the excess calcium. Ideally, you'd feed all flock pellets and out the oyster shell in a separate feeder/bowl. The roosters won't eat the oyster. The oyster will give the hens the additional calcium they need to lay eggs.

Wow thank you so much for telling me this I had no idea! I don't know how I didn't know this! I love this group it's so helpful! One of my hands would have died without this group!

 

[nuthatched]

OMG! I do use oyster shells I forgot to mention that. I get them in a separate bag and mix them in. The Grubbs help supplement significantly too. If I feed what you say flock pellets, will they still be able to have enough to lay eggs? I'm so confused I never heard of all this. I have a hundred pounds of layer feed still hanging around. Is there a way that I can get them more protein if you think they need it? I give them four or five hefty handfuls of grubs every day.

Layer feed has the bare minimum needed protein (16%), it's not enough for most hens.
It can also overload too much calcium into them, most chicken keepers do not feed layer, they feed 20% flock raiser or 18% all flock or chick grower. Grubs or larva are a poor way to add more protein since they are expensive and high in fat. They should not be fed every day.
Your hens will do better with more protein! Feathers, bodies, skin, organs and eggs all require protein to produce so they need more. Welcome to chickens! Don't worry, the learning curve is steeper than most people realise but it's not terrible.

 

[Yardmom]

It is the build up of the calcium that might be harmful. Many still feed layer for the simplicity and price. I would feed up most of the layer you have and then mix a bit before switching to an all Flock. Oyster shells should always be on the side. Now back to your question. It is the beginning of molting season. Within the next few months most roosters over a year old will loose all their tail feathers, and grow new ones a few weeks later.