Moulting, Pecking and Feather Damage

CAUSE
Several possible causes:

Moulting is a natural annual process where your chicken replaces its entire compliment of feathers over a few weeks. In a moult you will see new feathers beginning to appear.

Stress such as extreme heat, water deprivation and illness can induce moulting.

Pecking by other chickens usually around the vent or on the back is usually caused by stress, boredom or protein deficiency.

Cockerels can damage feathers on a hens back during mating.

Mite or lice infestation

What to look out for:
pecking one another

bald batches around the head, back or vent

feather eating, sucking and pulling

a cockerel preferentially and excessively mating with one hen causing bald patches

Treatment
Depends on the cause.

Moulting
Administer SoFresh chickens’ poultry multivitamins as this helps provide the bird with additional protein whilst it’s trying to replace its feathers (feathers are more than 80% protein). Administer in drinking water for up to 5 days, with fresh solution made up daily.

If dietary Protein deficiency
Ensure you are providing a correct and balanced diet; feed a good quality layer pellet from a reputable supplier. Provide additional protein to the diet via the drinking water in the form of SoFresh chickens’ poultry multivitamins

If pecking from other birds is the cause then you can also provide additional protein in the form of SoFresh Chickens’ Poultry protein filled med. The pecked chicken will need to replace lost feathers. The addition of SoFresh chickens’ poultry multivitamins in their daily drinking water for about 5 days will help – it can be given with Chicken Vet Poultry Multivitamins to calm the birds down. Oregano is a natural product that has a relaxing effect on birds. ...... ...... .....

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https://sofreshchickens.com/2018/05/01/chicken-feather-loss-causes-prevention-and-treatment/