Another Chook Question

[mew]

Hi
I have 3 ex battery rescue chickens since July last year.

There were in a real state when we got them, no feathers etc the usual. They started growing all their lovely feathers back but then one starting plucking the other two in almost a bully type fashion.

It seems to have settled down now but all three are taking their fair share in either plucking their own feathers or each others. They seem happy enough - clucking, eating, scratching, laying daily, have space to roam although in the day when we are at work they only have the space of their coop and outside run so between 3 chooks they prob have approx 1.5 sq metres for the run plus the coop. In the evenings and weekends they have the run of the garden were we can keep a watchful eye.

Weve tried separating them for a little while, weve tried stockholm tar but their feathers still arent growing back. (their feather loss in on the top and underside of their back/bottom and a little on their necks. Is there anything anyone can recommend as I have no idea what to do, they look so scruffy and i just would love to see them fully feathered.

Thanks

MEW x

[rlucas]

Hi
I have 3 ex battery rescue chickens since July last year.

There were in a real state when we got them, no feathers etc the usual. They started growing all their lovely feathers back but then one starting plucking the other two in almost a bully type fashion.

It seems to have settled down now but all three are taking their fair share in either plucking their own feathers or each others. They seem happy enough - clucking, eating, scratching, laying daily, have space to roam although in the day when we are at work they only have the space of their coop and outside run so between 3 chooks they prob have approx 1.5 sq metres for the run plus the coop. In the evenings and weekends they have the run of the garden were we can keep a watchful eye.

Weve tried separating them for a little while, weve tried stockholm tar but their feathers still arent growing back. (their feather loss in on the top and underside of their back/bottom and a little on their necks. Is there anything anyone can recommend as I have no idea what to do, they look so scruffy and i just would love to see them fully feathered.

Thanks

MEW x

It seems like boredom to me. Can you give them some distractions, like hanging up greens for them to peck at, maybe hang up an old CD in much the same way that budgies in cages used to be given mirrors? Chuck in a turf or two for them search for tasty morsels.

[matowakan]

I would agree that it could be boredom.
Sometimes when ex battery they are not used to freedom and a dominant personality will often try her luck on the others for a while but they do usually settle down.
I too have ex battery and they came to me in a poor state with one more dominant.After a few months the feathers grew back and the others stood up for themselves more.
A varied diet is good for boredom as are hanging things,just to keep them occupied scratching around for things.
Sorry not to be of more help.
good luck

[Millymollymandy]

It sounds like they are just moulting naturally which chickens do! That's the places where they lose most feathers and look the scruffiest. If you haven't seen them actually pecking that could be it. Mind you are they laying at the moment, cos they normally go off lay when they are moulting?

[mew]

Thanks for your help guys.
Ive put cds up and they arent fussed with them at all, ive put a ball in for them again not fussed, obviously the greens they love so i'll get more of them but can they have too much greens? If so whats a healthy balance - they're fed on organic layers pallets and mixed corn at the moment. They also get some treats 2-3 times a week.

The only concern I have with grass is the them not digesting it and it turning into a ball so it gets stuck which when we first had them they all appeared to suffer with their crops and their digestion from chomping on straw/hay (which we quickly removed) and this was where I read about the problems with grass so we decided to steer clear of putting any in their run. We dont have any grass in the back garden so id have to buy a few strips which isnt an issue.

Were hopefully moving house in a couple of months so we'll have more garden space which is all grass and we'll make the run quite a bit bigger so im hoping the extra permanent space will help no end. Because were moving to the country I dont really want to give them the full run of the garden because 1 theyd eat it all lol and 2 the foxes etc, I just wish I could help them stop it now.

If anyone could advise on a healthy amount of greens to hang and advice re grass that would be a really helpful starting point

Thanks

MEW

[rlucas]

Short grass shouldn't be a problem, but the birds will enjoy scratching the turf to pieces looking for yummy worms and creepy crawlies, which is the main point of the exercise!