White Brama Loosing Neck Feathers

[aart]

I would attach a picture if I could figure out how to do that. When i click on the attachment icon, I get a "you don't have permission" message.

Oh, I think new members need 10 posts to attach images....it's to keep spammers at bay.

Do they have a closed in coop too.....how big is that??

 

[friedokra]

they have a 4' X 12' run with an elevated 4' x 5' shelter (they can walk under it).

 

[aart]

they have a 4' X 12' run with an elevated 4' x 5' shelter (they can walk under it).

That's very tight coop space for 10 birds, run should be bigger too-unless you constantly free range.......
.....could be why there is some feather picking going on, crowding stress.

 

[friedokra]

We have only 9 birds. They free range all day in a 1/4 acre fenced in yard.

 

[junebuggena]

We have only 9 birds. They free range all day in a 1/4 acre fenced in yard.

Your first post said 9 hens and a rooster. That's 10 birds total. And you only have enough room for about 4 birds, even with free ranging during the day. The coop is much too small, especially if it's the only shelter. And now your birds are letting you know it by picking feathers.
You've got two options at this point. Either reduce your flock size, ASAP, or build a bigger coop in just a few days. Once overcrowding stress leads to behavioral issues like feather picking, it is very difficult to stop those behaviors, even after they have enough space.

 

[lazy gardener]

What JB said. Also, if you have a cockrel, even having 4 s.f. in coop and 10 s.f. in run/bird is TOO small IMO. Adding a cockrel to the mix requires even more room. Feather picking can easily lead to cannibalism.

 

[friedokra]

Sorry, 3 barred rock hens, 3 buff orpington hens, 2 light brahma hens and 1 light brahma rooster

 

[junebuggena]

Sorry, 3 barred rock hens, 3 buff orpington hens, 2 light brahma hens and 1 light brahma rooster

Those are all large/jumbo breeds. You'll need at least 5 sq ft of coop space per bird minimum.

 

[friedokra]

So this is not accurate?


Minimum Space Requirements for Poultry
Type of Poultry Bird Sq Ft / Inside Coop Sq Ft / Outside in a Run
Bantam Chickens
Layer Hens
Large Chickens
Quail
Pheasants
Ducks
Geese 1
1.5-2
2
1
5
3
6 4
8
10
4
25
15
18

 

[friedokra]

or this?

Coop size and shape. Each chicken needs at least 2 square feet of indoor space, or 3-6 square feet in an outdoor run. For example, for indoor chickens, you should multiply the number of chickens by 2 to get the minimum square footage.