The Old Folks Home

[ronott1]

I'd cut out everything but the cheese and mealworms for a couple days. They need a total of 16% protein. The scratch and everything but the cheese and worms are pulling that down. Even BOSS is less if it still has the hulls on.
The layer pellets are balanced and even though you're providing a good combination of things, my thought is that you're cutting the protein.
For an inexpensive quick fix, canned mackerel has all the amino acids and is cheap per ounce.

Do you think it is feather picking or lack of protein in the afflicted pullets?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I think feather picking started it, due to insufficient protein - especially methionine.

That's just my guess from the information and pictures.

 

[Alaskan]

Hoping some folks with chicken experience can give some insight here. This particular hen is getting mothier by the day. She was the first to lay and was getting feather pulled pretty brutally by some of the other birds. I've never had a chicken look like this, though. Is there something else going on? Bird is coming up on six months old, never been wormed or dusted. We're having a heatwave in comparison to the rest of the United States. I cannot see any obvious parasites.

Any ideas or suggestions? (I've got an inquiry out in another forum, but the more opinions the better)

Thanks!

someone is eating her feathers (maybe even she is doing it herself)

I would up the protein a little but also work hard to help relieve boredom.... like a cabbage head hanging from a rope in the middle of the run.

 

[Beer can]

I think your chickens would benefit from canned mackerel even if protein isn't the problem. They sell canned mackerel at the dollar stores, it's relatively cheap compared to tuna, and I think better for you. I use it as a substitute for tuna and canned salmon, mackerel burgers, macaroni salad etc. Sometimes I just add a little liquid smoke and eat it out of the can like giant hunks of sardines.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

X2
By far the cheapest and easiest source of protein I've found. (other than squid bought at the dock)

I use canned mackerel for raccoon bait. Cheap and stinks perty.

 

[Peep_Show]

They do have a treat ball that I put an apple or a roll in every other day.

I think it might be one bird that's snagging the feathers as I notice the quick(er) birds manage to avoid her and their plumage is intact. (And what should I do about that bird?)

I'll go get some canned mackerel this afternoon. Perhaps I should switch back to the grower crumbles @ 20% protein? I just like the cleaner aspect of pellets. They do have free choice grit and oyster shell in the coop. I'll make their mash a combo of ricotta cheese, dried meal worms and Calf Manna (25%) for a week and see if that alleviates the situation, also, to try to raise the protein aspects.

Is it worth getting Feather Fixer feed?

I did put in a "privacy bar" (an added 2" rim) to the nest boxes which makes it a bit more difficult for the other birds to pick at the ones sitting on the nest.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[ronott1]

They do have a treat ball that I put an apple or a roll in every other day.

I think it might be one bird that's snagging the feathers as I notice the quick(er) birds manage to avoid her and their plumage is intact. (And what should I do about that bird?)

I'll go get some canned mackerel this afternoon. Perhaps I should switch back to the grower crumbles @ 20% protein? I just like the cleaner aspect of pellets. They do have free choice grit and oyster shell in the coop. I'll make their mash a combo of ricotta cheese, dried meal worms and Calf Manna (25%) for a week and see if that alleviates the situation, also, to try to raise the protein aspects.

Is it worth getting Feather Fixer feed?

I did put in a "privacy bar" (an added 2" rim) to the nest boxes which makes it a bit more difficult for the other birds to pick at the ones sitting on the nest.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Try one of the no peck peepers. They are not too expensive and are removable.

Use the Mackerel like suggested. Feather fixer may help but is not soy free.

 

[Alaskan]

if it is due to only one hen... use the peepers on her, or eat her and the problem is solved

 

[Cynthia12]

I find that chickens that run from the others instead of standing ground tend to get picked on. Or if they squat for another hen.

I am so getting some canned mackerel. I don't have a problem right now, but it sounds like it's good for them. I have some calf manna...love that for them too.

 

[ronott1]

I find that chickens that run from the others instead of standing ground tend to get picked on. Or if they squat for another hen.

I am so getting some canned mackerel. I don't have a problem right now, but it sounds like it's good for them. I have some calf manna...love that for them too.

calf manna makes them poo pink!

Scares you the first time you see it....