WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?

[PirateGirl]

For starters, the bloody mass from the vent that ultimately lead to the deceased chicken was most likely a vent prolapse. This can only sometimes be repaired, and often the chicken does not survive. Fortunately, it's just one of those things that can happen to a chicken, through no fault of your own, and cannot spread to and injure or kill any of the other birds in your flock.

In terms of the overall feather condition of the birds I think @Fishkeeper has some great starting questions because there are lots of things that can lead to tattered feathers.

Have you actually seen mites since you started with this new flock? We can guide you on treating mites if that is in fact what is going on.

Unfortunately mites are from your environment and transmitted by wild birds and can return to flocks periodically.

 

[The Phantom]

18 months old

Ok. Where do you live?

 

[PirateGirl]

Ok. For starters your birds are in very close quarters. It is not unusual to see feather picking, bullying, overall dirty appearance, tattered feathers, in birds that live with so many others in such a small space. If you had half as many birds in that space I would expect their overall condition to appear a bit cleaner and healthier overall. If you could expand their run it may help some. If you can install a poop board that you can scrape down weekly, it may help as well. I would also consider making a designated dust bathing area for them that stays dry and sheltered. Together these things will help your space stay cleaner longer and will help with waste management and overall will help the feathers stay cleaner and in good condition.

Here is a link to my favorite article to help identify external parasites in chickens that lead to tattered feathers. It has really good photos of what to look for. If you can catch and examine your birds for these things you will have a better idea if there are actually parasites involved. If your birds are hard to catch and handle, I would start by targeting 3 or 4 that look the worst. If parasites are present, you will most likely find evidence on the worst looking birds.

https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

One more question, are their combs dark bright red or pale shrunken and floppy?

 

[sourland]

Do they have a run or they free ranged ? That coop is FAR too small for the number of birds that you have.

 

[TelfTheElf]

I live in Middlesbrough, North East England.
@The Phantom I mean that dad got livid with me and we have got rid off them.
How many birds would you recommend for that size coop?

 

[TelfTheElf]

As to the combs question, some a pale and floppy and some are bright red and stand erect.

 

[TelfTheElf]

They aren't free range atm as our new grass is still growing. that might be my problem eh?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I live in Middlesbrough, North East England.
@The Phantom I mean that dad got livid with me and we have got rid off them.
How many birds would you recommend for that size coop?

6

 

[TelfTheElf]

6

EEK...ok...i see my problem then

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The more closely confined your birds are, the more frequent cleaning is required and potentially, impossible to properly manage.