Semi-bald chickens, no longer pecking each other

[Oxfordshire chickens]

12 months ago we bought chickens for the first time: five hens, no rooster. For the first five months they were out in the garden in a very spacious enclosure, then in winter we moved them into part of our vegetable garden to protect our lawn. After a few months here we noticed they were pecking each other: it didn’t seem to bother the ones being pecked, but it was pretty persistent. As such, they lost all of the feathers around their vents, and one or two lost them around their necks and legs. All of the chickens were affected to the same degree.

Now that summer has arrived we’ve moved them back into the garden. We’ve never seen a single mite or louse on them, have treated their coop multiple times with powder, and treated them. Though we haven’t seen them pecking each other since we moved them back to the garden (about 2 months ago now) their feathers just won’t grow back. They seem healthy in every other regard, still laying an egg every day. I’ve added protein to their layers’ pellets as one thread on this website said that feather growing needs lots of protein, but nothing seems to be making any difference.

We’ve run out of ideas as to what might be causing this, and would be grateful for anyone’s experienced thoughts. Thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Their feathers might not grow back until molt, if they're broken off instead of fully plucked out.

 

[Oxfordshire chickens]

Okay, these are both really helpful replies thank you so much. Since they moved back into the garden we’ve never seen them eating feathers, and they do have access to oyster shell (which they eat quite a lot of!).

We’ll see if we can find that feather food and give that a go, then wait until the molt and keep our fingers crossed.

Thanks so much!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Okay, these are both really helpful replies thank you so much. Since they moved back into the garden we’ve never seen them eating feathers, and they do have access to oyster shell (which they eat quite a lot of!).

We’ll see if we can find that feather food and give that a go, then wait until the molt and keep our fingers crossed.

"Feather Fixer" isn't magic, it's layer feed with a little higher protein. You could also use a higher feed protein such as grower or starter. But no matter how much protein they get, if they're not showing any pin feather development, you're still not going to get feathers coming in until after molt, which should trigger them to re-feather the damaged patches.

It'd good to hear that they're not picking and eating feathers anymore, that's the important part.

 

[KaseySnow]

Welcome to BYC!

If the feathers aren't growing back that means pecking or self-plucking of some kind is still happening, most likely. Have you noticed them eating feathers at all? Do they have free choice access to crushed oyster shells?

I've just found out from another thread about a type of feed called Feather Fixer that might be a more balanced way to give them protein if they seem to be struggling.