Somebody is Pecking

Some pecking, I understand, is normal behavior and part of the dynamics of determining {forgive me} packing order. The wound sizes you describe are beyond that, however - certainly worse than anything I've experienced with my own flock of birds.

As @3KillerBs stated above, medically significant pecking and feather pulling behaviors can come of bad integrations, sheer boredom, and confined spaces. It can also be indication of a protein deficient diet. Finally, it can be an indication of illness - but that's generally demonstrated by the whole flock picking on a single weakened bird, not the sort of widespread injury you describe.

WHERE ARE YOU??? I can't help you find a better feed if I don't know where in the nation you are. Temporarily, a can of tuna fish (in water) is high in good proteins, not too high in salt - though I wouldn't wan't to do it for an extended period. Same with a can of chicken. No sliced lunch meats. WAY too high in salt content.

You could scramble a few eggs and feed them back to them. 3 eggs per day for your flock. You can also poach chicken or pork (in my area, pork loin on special is routinely cheaper chan chicken, lb/lb) for them, feed them that.

Nuts/Seeds are high protein (though imbalanced) and also high fat - typically kept to small proportions (less than 10% of the daily diet by weight), but you could try some sunflower seeds (BOSS) - about 1/3# per day (total).

Cut the scratch, the cracked corn, and everything else that's diminishing your bird's protein. Chances are, this time of year, they aren't effectively foraging for bugs, either.

We'll help you locate better feed.
I am in Surprise, Arizona. I will scramble some eggs today and poach some chicken tomorrow. Thank you for the information and I would appreciation any suggestions on brands to feeds them or where it is available. In our area the only place I have been to is Tractor Supply.
 
I was there today. They did not have anything higher that was not medicated. Apparently though medicated would not be a bad thing. I will go back tomorrow to look at other options Thank you!

No Purina Flock Raiser? https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...mbles-premium-poultry-feed-50-lb?cm_vc=-10005 The website says that TSC is supposed to carry it .

Are there any other farm/feed stores in your area?

I'm in NC so I have Southern States as another local chain. They carry Nutrena Flock Balancer 20% and Super Breeder 21% as well as the Purina.

Independent local feed stores may have locally-milled feeds.

There are a large number of chains that might have stores in your area with a better selection of feeds. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Farm_and_ranch_supply_stores_of_the_United_States
 
I am in Surprise, Arizona. I will scramble some eggs today and poach some chicken tomorrow. Thank you for the information and I would appreciation any suggestions on brands to feeds them or where it is available. In our area the only place I have been to is Tractor Supply.

OK, I've pulled up your store inventory (well, what they claim online to be inventory), and yes, most of it is 16% layer.

You do however have the choice of:
Purina Flock Raiser @ 20% Protein $21.99/50#
DuMor's Starter Grower @ 20% protein $20.50/50#

They also have two options for Meatbird @ 22% protein mix. Mixing 1:1 with your existing Layer gives 19% avg protein. Looks like they run about $19/40# A temporary solution.

Nutrena All Flock @ 20% Protein $19.99/40# - again, 40!!! lb bag - Most expensive, looks cheapest.

Purina's Turkey Starter @30% Protein $21.99/40# as a temporary thing, you could add this to your layer, 4 scoops of layer, 1 scoop of Turkey starter (18.8% avg protein). or 3 scoops of layer, 1 scoop of Turkey (19.5% avg protein)

I've placed them in my order of preference, and could explain why - but that's a much longer post.
 
My question is, we leave the girls in their coop until it is fully daylight just as an extra safeguard, could they be fighting from being in there too long?
Many will say that most predatory arracks happen in that one hour before or after dawn. I do not doubt them. I open my coops as early as 4 am and close as late as 11 pm. With your tight quarters, it may be better for you to try an earlier let out time. You'll have to weigh your risk tolerances.
 
No Purina Flock Raiser? https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...mbles-premium-poultry-feed-50-lb?cm_vc=-10005 The website says that TSC is supposed to carry it .

Are there any other farm/feed stores in your area?

I'm in NC so I have Southern States as another local chain. They carry Nutrena Flock Balancer 20% and Super Breeder 21% as well as the Purina.

Independent local feed stores may have locally-milled feeds.

There are a large number of chains that might have stores in your area with a better selection of feeds. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Farm_and_ranch_supply_stores_of_the_United_States
I am going to call TSC tomorrow and get some of he Nutrena Flock Balancer if they have it in stock. Thank you for sending the link. I will check it out. Thanks for all your help and footwork.
 
The bald spot on several birds right above the tail, can be also a sign of parasites. Have you checked them carefully for lice or mites?
I am not really sure what to look for, but I will do some research. Thank you for that suggestion. Anything is possible.
 
I'd guess those pecking and bald spots are from one of the males.
Multiple males create an environment of competition, bringing out the worst of their behaviors which include fighting and over-mating. Get rid of one of the males....and maybe a few girls as you are overcrowded with number of birds and coop size.

I am not really sure what to look for
Here's how to check for mites and/or lice:

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.


Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008
 

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