Saddles?

[Chixlittel]

I have a small Rhode Island Red hen, her back and tail have almost completely been striped of feathers. I notice feathers starting to grow back, but then they disappear. She is very small for a RIR. I've noticed a lot of my hens are starting to miss feathers on there back down by the tail. Do I have a feather picker? I keep checking for mites and lice, but can't seem to find any. Should I invest in saddles for them. Do they really work? I have seen my small RIR pick her feathers on her own neck, could she be doing it to herself? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[junebuggena]

Do you have a rooster?

 

[Chixlittel]

No, no rooster

 

[junebuggena]

Then you probably have a feather picker. It's usually caused by either not enough protein or overcrowding stress. Switching to a higher protein feed may help stop the picking and help them grow back their feathers. If it's caused by having too many chickens in too small a space, the solution would be either make their run area bigger, or reduce your flock size. The average brown egg layer (large breeds) needs at least 5 sq ft of coop space and 12 sq ft of run, or a total of 17 sq ft per bird. You can get away with having a coop that is a bit too small if you make up for it in run space.

 

[donrae]

you should also check for mites.

 

[IceAngel]

Should I invest in saddles for them. Do they really work?

Before I would buy something I would try to make something. I have two low ranking girls that have bare backs as well. Just as some feathers some to appear, they get pecked off. Since these two girls are black, the contrast between the new feathers and their skin could be mistaken for bugs by the other hens. I decided if they hadn't grown back by winter, I would take a work sock and cut out the toe and make them a little sweater. Once you slip it on, you can cut slits for the feet. It has to fit fairly snug so that it's not dragging on the ground,

I am not sure if this will work but it's free and it's worth a try.