•1 min read•from Raising Chickens or Other Poultry for Eggs, Meat, or as Pets
Help!
Our take
Uh-oh, it sounds like your feathered friends are embroiled in a bit of fowl play! With six hens enjoying a spacious coop and some free-range fun, it's puzzling that feather picking has become the main event. You’re already on top of things—regular cleaning, protein-packed feed, and ample dust baths are all cluck-tastic practices! However, when hens start to peck at each other’s feathers, it can stem from boredom, stress, or even just a pecking order tussle. It’s concerning to see those bare patches, especially on your black hens and the RIR. Let’s dive into the reasons behind this behavior and explore some egg-citing solutions to help restore your girls’ plumage and peace of mind!
 | Need some insight on what could be the problem here. I currently have 6 hens. Plenty of space to roam in the coop and I let them free range a few hours at least every day. I clean the coop regularly and they dust bathe frequently. They pick at each others feathers and backs, especially the ones in the pictures, and I can’t figure out how to get them to stop. I feed them higher protein feed and clean fresh water. They’ve been this way for months and I hate the way they look. Any ideas???? My black hens and the one RIR don’t have this issue although just recently I’ve seen some bare patches on the necks of the black hens. The ones with almost no tail feathers seem to be picked on the most. [link] [comments] |
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Tagged with
#hens#feathers#picked on#coop#higher protein feed#black hens#free range#clean water#RIR#tail feathers#dust bathe#bare patches#picking behavior#nutrition#space to roam#problem#domestic poultry#behavioral issues#appearance#care