Feather picking-what to do?

[tweetzone86]

Hello all! First flock, chickens were 1 year old on May 8.

We went to check on the chickens this morning and one of them has patches of white (RIR hens, so shouldn't be any white). Upon further inspection, it would appear that someone is feather picking her. She had some broken shafts that were oozing a little blood right where the patches were, and my kids saw a couple of the other ones peck her.

At the moment we locked her in the coop alone, and the others in the run with a water dish and some scratch (to keep them busy while we isolated her). I am also going to run to the store and get a dog kennel so we can isolate her from them while her feathers regrow.

My question is-why? I have 10 hens, the run is 7x20 and they get full access to it every day. The coop is 10x7 approx. They are also being fed high-protein 20% feed (Purina Flock Raiser) so lack of protein shouldn't be an issue.

This is the first time we've dealt with this problem, and I am not sure who the offender is (as I said, they're all RIR hens and look nearly identical, and the dumb birds managed to pull off their leg bands too, so I have no idea who is the culprit).

Any ideas as to why they would do it? Also, I've tried cabbage tether balls and they mow through that thing in about ten minutes, so I am not sure how else to entertain them. Can't let them range due to neighborhood cats (and while they are full size fowl, the cats aren't small either and have attacked them, so either the cats are big enough to take them on or they're dumb enough to think they can win. Suburban cats aren't used to the wrath of a chicken and are very, very bold).

I've also put plastic balls in there, and they ignore them. Put a bell in there, and they knocked it down and promptly ignored it as well. Old cds on string didn't do anything either.

All I can do is isolate her, but next to the coop so they can still see her, and wait for her feathers to regrow. In the meantime, how can I take steps to make sure it doesn't happen again? Especially as we're moving on the 11th to our new property, so they'll likely be a bit stressed from the transition as well.

A final note- they've been together since hatching, and we've had two die recently- one due to swallowing three screws and an open safety pin when she escaped the run (slipped out behind my daughter when door was open), and the other unknown causes, but suspected she ran into an oak beam supporting the roof as she was laying right in front of it, and I had mowed the day before and they freak out at loud noises). Last death was less than a month ago.

Thanks!

 

[Shadrach]

Hello all! First flock, chickens were 1 year old on May 8.

We went to check on the chickens this morning and one of them has patches of white (RIR hens, so shouldn't be any white). Upon further inspection, it would appear that someone is feather picking her. She had some broken shafts that were oozing a little blood right where the patches were, and my kids saw a couple of the other ones peck her.

At the moment we locked her in the coop alone, and the others in the run with a water dish and some scratch (to keep them busy while we isolated her). I am also going to run to the store and get a dog kennel so we can isolate her from them while her feathers regrow.

My question is-why? I have 10 hens, the run is 7x20 and they get full access to it every day. The coop is 10x7 approx. They are also being fed high-protein 20% feed (Purina Flock Raiser) so lack of protein shouldn't be an issue.

This is the first time we've dealt with this problem, and I am not sure who the offender is (as I said, they're all RIR hens and look nearly identical, and the dumb birds managed to pull off their leg bands too, so I have no idea who is the culprit).

Any ideas as to why they would do it? Also, I've tried cabbage tether balls and they mow through that thing in about ten minutes, so I am not sure how else to entertain them. Can't let them range due to neighborhood cats (and while they are full size fowl, the cats aren't small either and have attacked them, so either the cats are big enough to take them on or they're dumb enough to think they can win. Suburban cats aren't used to the wrath of a chicken and are very, very bold).

I've also put plastic balls in there, and they ignore them. Put a bell in there, and they knocked it down and promptly ignored it as well. Old cds on string didn't do anything either.

All I can do is isolate her, but next to the coop so they can still see her, and wait for her feathers to regrow. In the meantime, how can I take steps to make sure it doesn't happen again? Especially as we're moving on the 11th to our new property, so they'll likely be a bit stressed from the transition as well.

Thanks!

Boredom. What have you got in your run?
If it doesn't look like a jungle, or junk yard then scratching over the same old ground day after day (lyrics from what band?) is pretty dull.
For the hen who has bleeding feathers and any others that are getting pick on, some of this on the pecked areas will discourage the aggressors.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...s-and-injuries-with-stockholm-hoof-tar.74400/

 

[pennyJo1960]

There is simple liquid to stop feather picking go to any feed store you will find it how often do you give threats please and do you offer free feed oyster?

 

[Morrigan]

Is she the only hen that is showing signs of being picked on? Is she otherwise healthy and in good shape? Can you post a picture of your run? We might have some ideas on how to make it more interesting.

It sounds like protein should not be the issue, so the things that come to mind are boredom/too small a run, or that there is something unique about this particular hen that is causing her to be picked on. And, once blood is drawn, that will make her an even more attractive target.

 

[tweetzone86]

There is simple liquid to stop feather picking go to any feed store you will find it how often do you give threats please and do you offer free feed oyster?

Ok thanks for the tip (and Shadrach above the tar tip).

I am assuming you mean treats, not threats? I give out scratch and toss it on the ground so they have to do the work. As to oyster, it's mixed into their feed (since it is flock raiser with no added calcium, or very little), but to be fair hubby mixed it last time and he didn't do a very good job

 

[tweetzone86]

Is she the only hen that is showing signs of being picked on? Is she otherwise healthy and in good shape? Can you post a picture of your run? We might have some ideas on how to make it more interesting.

It sounds like protein should not be the issue, so the things that come to mind are boredom/too small a run, or that there is something unique about this particular hen that is causing her to be picked on. And, once blood is drawn, that will make her an even more attractive target.

Can't-I'm moving in less than two weeks and the camera is packed. The run situation will change as well-much bigger, and they'll be well occupied to scratch through all the fresh grass on the property.

I think she's healthy? She hasn't shown any sign of illness, other than the feather loss. She's now in the coop on her own (others locked out of it in the run) and she's sitting down on the roost bar napping. I'm hoping it's not because she's ill, but rather because she finally has a moment's peace.

I wonder if, due to the two recent deaths in the past couple months, she's bearing the brunt of the pecking order redistribution? Also, the feathers being picked aren't the bum feathers, but rather on her sides and the side of her breasts. I am wondering if the attacker is charging her from the side?

I don't think she's old enough to be molting, is she? None of the others are. I also have a free choice feeder made from 4 pvc elbows and a clear plastic bin big enough to hold a full 50 lb bag of feed, so I think she's getting enough to eat?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Since you're moving I wouldn't worry about augmenting the run at this time. Otherwise I'd suggest adding "stuff" to the run like Shadrach suggested instead of treats, which is only going to dilute down the protein that you're feeding them.

 

[tweetzone86]

Since you're moving I wouldn't worry about augmenting the run at this time. Otherwise I'd suggest adding "stuff" to the run like Shadrach suggested instead of treats, which is only going to dilute down the protein that you're feeding them.

We picked up the kennel from Walmart and she's now in it. So far she's already spilled her food and water, and she keeps attempting to stick her head up through the top slats of it -__- She's panicking a bit- is that normal?

 

[50-45-1]

I adopted 6 producion hens last fall and got myself a feather picker the bargin.
After two days i could tell which one it was and ordered 24 pinless peepers and the tool to put them on for about thirteen dollars.
After the other hens grew out there new feathers past the pin feather stage, (about 6 weeks) i took the goggles off and she did not return to picking..
They can still see to eat and drink. I only had to lift her up on the roost at night for the first week or so and then she figured out how to navigate pretty good.

 

[tweetzone86]

I am unsure who the culprit is, is the problem.