Bare chicken butt? How to stop another from pecking

[Whatsupchickenbutt16]

Hello! I am a novice chicken mom with three 8-month old hens-2 of which just started laying last month.

One of the egg layers is picking on the other - specifically her butt. At first I thought was mites and checked but didn’t see anything; also cleaned the coop. Then questioned their space-the three share a 4x6 run and free range daily for about an hour. I also give them meal worms daily so not sure it’s a protein thing. Weird because the one who is getting picked on has been the most dominant lady but just takes it…

Any suggestions on how to stop the one from pecking? Or if I should treat the bald butt or maybe it will just grow back and work itself out. Would hate it to get infected. Picture for reference.

 

[StinkyAcres]

How big is their coop? Spray the bare skin with BluKote, cut out all treats, and make sure they have a high-protein (18%-20%) complete feed available at all times.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What are you feeding? How big is your set up?

Generally plucking is from a protein deficiency or from crowding and boredom. They also can pluck on the roosts if they are placed too closely.

I personally would try pinless peepers if you can identify the culprit, or remove them temporarily, or permanently. It can quickly turn to cannibalism, so I would try to get it figured out ASAP.

 

[Whatsupchickenbutt16]

Thanks-cannabalism-yikes! I’ll look into painless peepers

I’ve been feeding the mix from my local food store but will look into more protein. Do you have a recommendation?

Here’s how big my set up is:

Overall Dimensions	100.9" L x 31.96" W x 54.8" H
The Coop (Internal) Dimensions	30" L x 27.5" W x 32.79" H

 

[Whatsupchickenbutt16]

How big is their coop? Spray the bare skin with BluKote, cut out all treats, and make sure they have a high-protein (18%-20%) complete feed available at all times.

Thanks! Do you have a rec on high protein feed? Just got some BluKote!

 

[Whatsupchickenbutt16]

How big is their coop? Spray the bare skin with BluKote, cut out all treats, and make sure they have a high-protein (18%-20%) complete feed available at all times.

Oh and their coop is

(Internal) Dimensions	30" L x 27.5" W x 32.79" H

 

[Whatsupchickenbutt16]

Could this be losing her tail feathers (about 9 months old) and the other is just interested?

 

[aart]

Overall Dimensions	100.9" L x 31.96" W x 54.8" H
The Coop (Internal) Dimensions	30" L x 27.5" W x 32.79" H

Post a link to the product where I assume you cut and pasted this from.

I’ve been feeding the mix from my local food store but will look into more protein. Do you have a recommendation?

What brand and model is this feed?
There should be a nutrition tag on it that has protein and calcium and other things listed.

 

[Whatsupchickenbutt16]

Post a link to the product where I assume you cut and pasted this from.


What brand and model is this feed?
There should be a nutrition tag on it that has protein and calcium and other things listed.

Thanks; this is the coop (https://smart.coop.farm/product-page/the-smart-coop-steel-run)

And the food is just branded by my local feed store. Looks like it’s 16% protein…

 

[rosemarythyme]

IMO it's a space/boredom issue above all else. Your run is barely big enough for 2 birds and certainly doesn't have space to add clutter and enrichment items https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/page-6#post-25037140 to curtail behavioral issues. A little free ranging does not make up for them being closed in most of the day.

Can you let them free range all day instead? If not, the other option is to add a larger additional run. If you have the space I'd recommend 10x10 at a minimum (and then just place this whole unit inside the new run) because even with only 3 birds, clutter takes up space.