loosing feathers

[hotrodchevelle]

I have 8 hens, had one rooster, who was very rough with them and the hens are missing most of the feathers on their backs, thought it was the rooster but I see the hens picking at each other too. could this be some kind of mite and any solutions? thanks

 

[tysr 11]

my guess is it was just the rooster. it will take them awhile to get their feathers back. i had the same problem

 

[Judy]

Feather picking is usually ascribed to too little space or too little protein in the diet. It can be a difficult habit to break once started. You might want to consider some saddles for them, til they olt and grow in new feathers. You can buy them in our BST forum or make your own.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/patterns-chicken-saddles

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/back-to-basic-living-feather-picking-plucking-and-cannibalism

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/697052/i-think-i-found-a-miracle-cure-for-feather-picking/0_20