My guess/gut reaction is that your chickens saw blood in feathers growing in and are hungry for protein. Did you cover the wounds with blu kote? I hope you are in a colder climate so flies cannot lay eggs in the wounds causing fly strike (maggots will eat your chickens alive). Your chickens need more animal protein and nutrients which is why they are going after the feathers. I'd add red cell or similar to their feed each day (the amount they will eat) at a tsp-2tsp per 2 pounds. After a week back off to 3 times a week for two to three weeks, then back off to twice a week and stay on the schedule.
In between I'd add protein to their diet: scrambled eggs, cheap mackerel, left over roast, a cup of small puppy kibble for 4 hens, et....
My 2nd guess would be an opossum in your coop since the holes are by their vents if your coop is not predator proof. If it is, back to the above.
How many in ? coop? Crowding can make your chickens peck blood feathers too. Mostly I have seen this when they need nutrients and protein.
Cathryn rainbowsilkiesTM in Michigan
On Monday, March 31, 2014 10:27 PM, Ray & Nancy Blanchong <nrblanchong@gmail.com> wrote:
As with most, we have had a horrible winter. Being a first year chicken owner, I was quite pleased that the entire flock has survived. However, I do have a few hens who seem to have a problem: they have large open sores. It seems to have happened just in the last 6 wks or so. The sores are on thier sides, maybe a few inches from thier butt. Each hen who has this, has it in nearly the same identical place. The Brahamas and Speckleds seems to be the most affected. I have been able to keep the bleeding to a minuim and the pecking within the flock does not seem to be an issue. Does anyone else have this problem? What has caused this? Is there something I should be doing to help the healing process? Or is this just an issue due to the extreme cold we have had?
THANKS!
Nancy Blanchong
http://www.blanchongblueacre.blogspot.com/
nrblanchong@gmail.com
Look to the Lord and His strength,
seek His face always. Ps. 105:4
http://www.blanchongblueacre.blogspot.com/
nrblanchong@gmail.com
Look to the Lord and His strength,
seek His face always. Ps. 105:4
__._,_.___
| Reply via web post | Reply to sender | Reply to group | Start a New Topic | Messages in this topic (3) |
To post a message to the list go to
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
.
__,_._,___
No comments:
Post a Comment