Hi all: not sure if this would be the right forum to ask this question. I have some friends that have 6 chickens. They are all getting bald on their butts, legs, and even up on their back near their tails. Not sure what it could be from. Almost seems like a nervous condition that Parrots who have a sudden change in living conditions do. Other birds as well. I didn't want to tell my friends that they have made their chickens crazy by keeping them in to small an enclosure. Any ideas. Thanks
A really small coop could be part of the problem, not having enough protein or lice. I would dare to say the protein would be my first avenue to try.
Featherphobia could very well be right. if they don't have enough protein, they will pick at each other and pick off their feathers. Are they scratching/picking at themselves. they may have lice or mites. or they may be stressed at the lack of space they don't have. Someone with a lot more chicken info would be helpful. You could try on one of the chicken forums like backyard chicken.
Chickens need 4 sq. feet per hen in an inside coop, and 10 sq.ft. per hen in an outside coop. Lice and mites are easily detected--just pick up one of the chickens and if you get little black dots on you, the chicken is lousy or mite ridden. There are easily applied dusts to kill lice and mites. Most feed stores will stock the dusts, or they can be ordered on-line. Protein is easily added to the diet. A tblsp. of cooked hamburger per chicken per day, or finely chopped beef or pork at the same rate will add enough protein. If they are being fed a balanced diet from a reputable feed supplier protein will be included in the feed. From the described condition of the chickens, I'd go with all three--protein, lice, and crowding--and apply remedies for each.
Thanks so much I will pass along the info to my friends. I figured it might be a multiple thing going on. But over crowding is most definite. Again thank you all so much.
