Some of my hens are losing there feathers on there back.

[BeccaJ2005]

I have 9 hens and one rooster. I have had them since late summer and have had no problems with any of them. They have a good coop and are pretty healthy. I let them free range on good days in the winter. They molted last month. So I am a bit confused. I have a hen that is an Austerlorpse and she doesn't ever want to be around the flock she's timid. She's plucked on the back to awards her tail. When I let them all out to free range she goes and hides all day away from the flock. My husband has caught one of our hens peck her head and then the rooster would go peck the chicken who hurt her. Then today when my rooster was around the hen laid down and he came over and pecked her head. So I am wondering what could be reasons that she's being picked on? They all got along really well in the past. Also I have a couple other hens kinda plucked on the back towards the tail. My rooster is a turkneck. I don't no if he's being ruff with them when he mates or what? He looks after his hens very well.

 

[TwoCrows]

The bald backs is probably due to the rooster over mating the hens. Then when the feathers are worn off and the red skin is showing, the others are picking on these areas. So you might want to get the hens some saddles to protect them from the rooster.

http://www.hensaver.com/

In the mean time, separate out the roo so he can give the hens a break. You should also spray some blu-kote on the bald areas to protect them from infection and to color the skin enough that the others won't bother these areas. Use gloves when applying blu-kote as it stains the hands and clothing. It will wear off the skin and feathers of the birds.

Good luck with your flock and welcome to ours!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X2 on TwoCrows suggestion while 9 hens to 1 roo is a good ratio, sometimes roosters have "favorite" hens and he will overmate those. You may also have feather picking/ eating going on if you are seeing hens pluck at each others feathers, you might try giving them a higher protein feed or treats, or If you know what hens are doing the picking, you could try Pinless Peepers. It sounds like they free range most of the time? If it is happening in the coop, (how big is the coop?) you might want to try things to help eliminate boredom, hang a head of cabbage, throw in a bale of hay etc. Sounds like the Australorp is just the low chicken in the pecking order.

 

[Ren2014]

Hello and

 

[BeccaJ2005]

Thanks you all. she was coming out of the weeds and our rooster came over and did his thing with her so I would say she maybe one of the favorites. I have 5 4 week old baby hens plus 15 fertile eggs from my hens that will be hatching Tuesday so one of these days he will have him a bunch of girls lol (let pray most will be girls) it will be interesting to see what they come out like since daddy is a turkneck. Chicken raising is so much fun I forgot to mention they are on a high protein diet plus I have given them cat food since they started molting. I was told cat food has high protein and it would help with the molting process and it sure did. I slowed down on the cat food since there not molting no more. I give it to them for snack sometime.

 

[gander007]

 

[Duckopolis]

Good luck with your poultry raising adventures,and I hope you find everything you need to know. Don't forget to take a look at BYC's very useful learning center (If you haven't already)! The learning center as well as the forum should answer your questions! Glad to have you here! See you around the forum. Could they be molting? (Just suggestions...)