Strange feather loss, but no mites! Ideas?

[sovia]

I just asked my husband and he told me that the run is approximately 17x15 and the coop is 11x12. We have 16 hens and 1 rooster.

 

[Jenski]

I would personally cull a habitual feather picker. She will teach the others to participate in that nasty habit, and it nearly always escalates.

I did the very same thing last year with a New Hampshire Red; it took me a couple of days to confirm it, but once I figured it out I whisked her out of my flock faster than you can say BUCK-AWK!

You can also add some nice things for the chickens to pick at during the day; I try to keep mine busy when they are in the covered run. Cabbage, pumpkins and other squash, straw piles, and other things like that keep them occupied for hours. They are less likely to pick at each other when they have jobs.

 

[sovia]

Thanks, Jenski. We are going to cull her today. I am still undecided as to whether I should cull the Easter Egger, too. She isn't nearly as bad and I ordered some Hot Pick to hopefully deter this nasty practice. We are going to put some duct tape on the rooster and see if that helps him. I will keep you updated!

 

[basicliving]

Hi Sovia,

This sounds some what similar to what I am going through with my rooster https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=97681 I'm glad you posted. I ordered some Hot Pick from McMurray's when I read your last post on this thread - and I also ordered the Avia Charge as they described it as something that stops pecking and the review I read from a customer said it worked. I hope that's true.

Take care and good luck,
Penny

 

[MissPrissy]

Feathers are protein. You need to check what they are eating and boost the protein in their diet. Also since someone seems to be a habitual picker get some coal tar salve or stop pick to help deter the habit. I think you may see less of it after a week or two of good protein. Chickens are omnivors - they need animal proteins. Most feeds have no animal proteins in them so the chickens are not getting everything they need to be nutritionally complete.

 

[basicliving]

MissPrissy - what is the best way to up the protein in their diet? Is there a cost efficient food you feed them? I thought I could fry up eggs - or possibly even some hamburger/deer meat. I could also start feeding them that yummy yogurt I make from your recipe. Is there something else you would recommend feeding them that would up the proten in their diet?

Thanks in advance,
Penny

 

[sovia]

Thanks for all your posts so far. Yes, basicliving, I looked through your thread and I agree that what we are experiencing is very similar AND frustrating. I have tried so hard to do everything right and now this.

I ordered the Hot Pick from eggcartons.com and hope it will arrive soon.

Today, I removed the California white and the Easter egger. One of our neighbors took them. They were the only two I had seen pecking. This afternoon, I noticed that the OTHER California white (that I had not observed pecking before) was taking some serious tugs at the neck feathers of the speckled sussex that had been untouched.

To top it off, Rico the rooster is nearly bald around his neck and was bleeding on his back near the base of his tail. I put him in a big wire dog crate inside the coop with his own food/water/etc., and hope he heals up soon.

Miss Prissy, I believe what you say about the protein. The Purina Layena has 16% protein, all from non-animal sources. I started a few days ago giving a few scoops of BOSS daily and today I set out a few bowls of yogurt. I have been giving them meat scraps from my kitchen for months, but they are most likely not enough. I have some beef soup bones that came with my beef order this fall. Would it be wrong of me to feed those to the flock?

We don't have a lot of choices of feed around here - Purina, Hubbard, and Nutrena - but I think I might try the Hubbard because it does have animal protein.

I am terrified that this is going to continue to escalate and that I will end up with NO chickens.

Yes, I know they are "just" chickens, but I have enjoyed this whole undertaking more than I would have ever imagined.

Thanks for listening.

BTW, I also called the lady at the ag supply store where I bought the chicks. She suggested that I just barely trim the top beak. Is this the same as debeaking? I have read that is horribly painful, but just a little trim doesn't sound so bad. Am I wrong?

 

[basicliving]

Hi Sovia,

I share your concern. In my case, they are only doing this to one rooster - so far. I too am terrified it will turn into a flock issue though. I am keeping my rooster seperated from the rest for now. I'll use the Hot Pick on him, and try the Avia Charge in everyone's water to see if it helps. I'll also try to up the protein they are getting. I wish I knew of an inexpensive and convenient way to do that. For now, I'll just have to mix up some eggs, yogurt, etc.

I've been reading about debeaking - and there were some responses on that in my thread. I would really prefer not to do that - but I certainly will as a last resort. Since the majority of my hens are doing the pecking, debeaking may be the only choice if I am to keep all of them and stop this behavior. Like I said, it will be a last resort for me and I am going to try everything I can think of before it comes to that.

I have read that if you take just the tip of the beak, it will grow back - but I've also read that's not true. Does anyone know for certain - from experience?

Thanks,
Penny