Why would a five week chick be loosing neck feathers-a couple a day?

[ELauraD]

Our five week black sex link is loosing a couple neck feathers a day. This is not happening to any of the other chicks. I have one chick which I think is a rooster though "he" is not crowing yet. I clean the coop out weekly, rake the chicken run and spread DE in both coop and run. Any suggestions? Also, is there anything you are doing with your chicks besides what I've mentioned? They are eating the medicated feed. Thank you for your suggestions and answers.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

I would guess that they are being plucked out by one or more of your other chicks. You can get some Rooster Booster peck no more kind of stuff to put on that chick's neck. The others won't like the consistency or taste, plus if there's a little blood it helps to disguise the color.

Good luck!

 

[terryg]

Sometimes a feather picking/eating problem can happen in a flock to just one bird. In my flock of 12 hens there is one, Jasper, that a couple of the others use a a feather source. This began when they were growing in their adult feathers. There's never blood and it's just in one spot near the tail. Jasper is the dominant hen, so she could stop it if she wanted to. I ignore it. However, if there was any blood at all, I'd address the issue. Also, do think about what you're feeding. Sometimes it's because the hens need more protein and grit. Sometimes it's boredom. I have a FAQ about feather loss here: http://hencam.com/faq/feather-loss-and-feather-picking/

 

[ELauraD]

Thank you for your responses. I picked up the peck no more and applied that to the area, she didn't seem to happy about it. I have also given the chicks a pecking block to alleviate the boredom. For 12 chickens we have a 90 sqf coop and 300 sqf run. The feed is available 24/7 from in the coop as well as outside. We give the meal worm treats everyday.. plus some cuttings from the garden or such. There hasn't been any blood todate but I'm keeping an eye on it. Thanks again, I found your comments very helpful.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Thank you for your responses. I picked up the peck no more and applied that to the area, she didn't seem to happy about it. I have also given the chicks a pecking block to alleviate the boredom. For 12 chickens we have a 90 sqf coop and 300 sqf run. The feed is available 24/7 from in the coop as well as outside. We give the meal worm treats everyday.. plus some cuttings from the garden or such. There hasn't been any blood todate but I'm keeping an eye on it. Thanks again, I found your comments very helpful.

The Rooster Booster Pick No More Lotion needs to be applied every day from my experience. I love that stuff and it has saved my chicks' tushies from being pecked after washing pasty butt off.