yooper chick

[marcyjean]

Started with chicks last march. Really enjoy them had idea of fresh eggs and meat. Had 31 with 5 being roosters. Now have 22 with one rooster. We thined out the roosters and 2 hens that were noticably pecking. Lost 2 to a hawk snd one to smoke inhalation. Heating lamp knocked down and smoldered in hay. Now dealing with half the flock red bare backs and bottoms. Been a tough winter and I admire our birds resiliency. Learning as we go and enjoy the shared info

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Sounds like you have had some adventures with your chickens, and one really close call with the heat lamp. Bare vents/tail area especially are often feather picking, some might be rooster damage on the backs of hens, but if you think that feather plucking is the main problem pinless peepers are a thought for a quick fix if you have a lot of them doing it, besides the usual increase protein, give them something to do to alleviate boredom, and make sure that you don't have space issues... and do take a really close look to be sure you don't have lice/mites also coming out of a hard winter.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

Sorry for all the issues you have been having!! Yes, chickens are pretty tough birds! The bare patches on the backs are probably from over mating from the rooster. You may need to add more hens to your flock or use hen saddles on the hens to protect them from being over mated.

Good luck with your flock and welcome to ours!

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

Bare backs may be from the rooster, it can help to trim his nails - you do it the same was as for a dog, don't try to get them short, just remove the sharp tips. Bare bottoms I would be checking closely for mites/lice.

Hope you stop by the Michigan thread and say Hi, look in the Where am I - Where are You section of the Forum

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC - feather pecking/plucking can become a problem during the winter when most birds are confined. Pinless peepers can be used to stop this bad habit.

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[gander007]