Rooster With All Broken Feathers

[chickie momma di]

Can someone please help me figure out what has happened to my Buff Orphington Rooster's feathers. My roo molted and all the feathers grew back just fine. One day I went to the coop to find my roo with all his feathers appearing to be broken. It looks like hes having a bad hair day or somethin. He looks like a frizzle right now. He shares his coop with 6 girls and 1 cockrel (we thought he was gonna be a girl but no go) that we are gonna give away free to a good home. The girls are now pickin on his new do. He is otherwise fine except he looks like he stuck his finger in an electric socket. I am technology challenged so I can't post a pic. but does anyone have any thoughts on this? Should I be concerned. We live in MA so it is still cold here.

 

[Judy]

Buff Orps are known for their mild manner and are typically the victim of the bullies. You said a lot when you said the hens are ow picking on him; they may be responsible for the whole mess, or the other roo and he could have gotten into it.

Typically, feather picking is related to low protein, lack of space or boredom. Winters often contribute to their feeling cramped and bored. You might tell us more about your setup and how their day goes.

 

[chickie momma di]

Thats what i was suspecting. Boardum. This has been a long and snowy winter here in Mass. 5 ft so far.
Their set up is ......the house is a 6'x8'x6'ft high inside all insulated with a sun roof and 8 18''x12'' individual laying boxes 4 up 4 down each filled with wood shavings. the floor is insulated as well and is protected with chain link fencing on the bottom underside to keep any predators out. there is a plastic waterer inside which is raised so they won't put the shavings in the water. Their food is on the wall also raised and is filled each day with layer pellets, boss, and scratch in the winter. They also have a container of grit and oyster shells available to them. There is an area for them to have "private time" if they need to get away from eachother, this is encased in chicken wire. Tthe younger birds used to use this to get away from the buff orphs or just to hide out. This space is about 2x2 and they like to roost on top of it. Then there is their run wich is 6x12 with a roof and lots of tree branches for them to play on. They have tree trunks to jump on and this is also enclosed with chicken wire, some other kind of gardening wire and chain link fence dug underground to keep the bad guys out. They have a waterer outside as well and seed and scratch is put out side each day to give them something to scratch arround at. They also recieve a fresh salad at least 3xper week.and other assorted treats When the weather permitts and time, they are allowed to free range arround our yard as well as our neighbors who love them as well. This gives them about 1 1/2 acres to play in. In this space we have 6 hens ranging in age from 1-3 years old and 2 roos one of which i am looking to rehome. The 2 roos and 1 of the hens are Buff Orphingtons and the others are a mix of silver lakenvelder/barred rocks and one new hampshire red.