Where have the feathers gone??

[MaceyDellFarm]

I'm a newbie and I need some advice! I have spent hours over the last few months looking at all the coop plans and reading different threads on the forum. Thank you, BackYard Chicken community, for sharing your chicken wisdom and journey!

We have 34 chicks that are 4 1/2 weeks old. About 10 of them are missing feathers on their backs. I have looked all over the forum, but I can't find anything posted that sounds like what I'm seeing with my chicks. The closest thing looks like molting, but the timing doesn't seem right for that. Aren't they too young?

We dealt with the chicks pecking each other when they were two weeks old. I made the mistake of changing to a white light... Big mistake!! I switched back to a red light and the major pecking stopped, but the damage had already been done. I isolated the 14 injured chicks and they seemed to heal quickly.

So, I'm not sure if this current problem is a problem with pecking or something else. I would love to know how to help these chicks regain their full beauty and health. Can you help me?

Thank you for your advice!!

 

[Michael Apple]

I think you have some feather pickers in your flock rather than feather mites. The tender follicles grow back and can be attractive to other birds if they get picked and bleed. Sometimes if you give them more room and more feed stations, the problem lessens. I used an anti-pick lotion called Pick-No-More made by Rooster Booster which worked well to prevent feather picking in the past. It has a peppery taste birds don't like so they'll leave the area alone. What are you feeding your chicks?

 

[SIMZ]

We had two chicks that looked just like, and I always assumed they were picking the feathers. See how new ones are growing back in your picture? Ours have grown back now that they're in the big coop with outside access and lots more room.

 

[MaceyDellFarm]

Yes, I think we have some feather pickers! I just moved them from the brooder to the coop 4 nights ago, so they have more space to move around. I think that has helped. The run isn't ready yet, so they can't go outside freely yet.

I will add an additional feeding station to see if that helps. And, I'll look for the Pick-No-More product too. I have been spraying the Blue-Kote product only if there is blood. Do you know if it will it help this problem too? Should I spray any area that is featherless?
Thank you so much for your advice!

 

[Michael Apple]

Yes, I think we have some feather pickers! I just moved them from the brooder to the coop 4 nights ago, so they have more space to move around. I think that has helped. The run isn't ready yet, so they can't go outside freely yet.

I will add an additional feeding station to see if that helps. And, I'll look for the Pick-No-More product too. I have been spraying the Blue-Kote product only if there is blood. Do you know if it will it help this problem too? Should I spray any area that is featherless?
Thank you so much for your advice!

Pick-No-More would be better than Blue-Kote in my opinion.
I don't like Blue Kote because it dries the skin out so much. Lightly dabbing it on a few feathers is one thing, but I just found it to be too messy, and akin to painting a target on already picked birds. I would just treat the areas that appear to be pecked. I guess you are feeding a good 18-22% starter/grower ration? In addition, use a good vitamin supplement in the water a couple days a week to help those feathers grow back. I use Avian Super Pack vitamins.

 

[MaceyDellFarm]

Oh, yeah... The feed I'm using is Natural Chick Starter by Nutrena and it is 18% protein. I was using "Quick Chik" for vitamins and electrolytes in the water until a few days ago when they moved into the coop. I have just a little left, so I will use the rest and look for the product you mentioned to add the vitamins to the water again.
And a second vote for the Pick-No-More product... so I will get it ASAP!
Thank you!!

 

[Michael Apple]

Oh, yeah... The feed I'm using is Natural Chick Starter by Nutrena and it is 18% protein. I was using "Quick Chik" for vitamins and electrolytes in the water until a few days ago when they moved into the coop. I have just a little left, so I will use the rest and look for the product you mentioned to add the vitamins to the water again.
And a second vote for the Pick-No-More product... so I will get it ASAP!
Thank you!!

That's a decent percentage protein. You're welcome. Some people don't, many do use Amprolium in regard to coccidiosis immunity for chicks. Have you done that and plan on continuing now that you've moved them outside?

 

[MaceyDellFarm]

I must admit that I don't know much about coccidiosis. I thought it had to do with nutrition and clean living conditions. I don't know anything about Amprolium. Is that an ingredient in food or something I add to their food? I'd be grateful if you can fill me in. I read a little on another thread about the safety of using it and eating the eggs.
We are starting the run tomorrow and it should be complete by Thursday. I hope they will be ready to enjoy it on Friday!

 

[Michael Apple]

Here's an article about coccidiosis:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/1138/coccidiosis-control

Common practice with Corid (Amprolium) is to start chicks on it around 2-3 weeks old at five day intervals until they have been on range for 2 weeks.
Corid comes in powder form and a solution of 9.6%. The dosage for powder is 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of water and for 9.6% solution, it is one teaspoon per gallon of water. I prefer supplementing the water instead of buying medicated feed.

There is no withdrawal time for eggs. Also, your pullets won't be laying until they are around 5 months old.