[sneezer]

Do they need any extra vitamins etc? Lula who is nearly 4 and an ex-free range girl has started to pull the feathers from the bottom of one of the others, I have checked no lice or creepy things, and also she has some days where she is in an absolute foul mood, pecking every one including me, then the next day she is fine, she is with 3 new girls about 6 months now and they are fine together but she pecks at me more when the others jump on my shoulder or back,( she can't fly or jump very high)is she jeaulous or just getting a grumpy ol' girl?

[compostqueen]

Maybe she's having trouble moulting.

You can give your girls poultry spice added to their food which is a completely natural herbal remedy (curry spices  ) and you only need a tiny bit. It helps them over moults etc when they can get a bit depleted

Maybe she just wants extra fuss 

Are they all getting daily green veg?

[sneezer]

They get poultry spice now and then, as for moulting we've had her for 2 years and she has had 3(i think) partial moults, she has lost feathers but never had any bald bits, they have a bag of spring greens a day between 4, I would love to give her cuddles because she is a lovely girl but she hates being stroked etc. She does get hand fed but even then she can't resist eating the corn and then a quick peck on your arm then back to the corn!
Maybe she wanted to retire in peace but now she has 3 sprightly youngsters to keep in check!

[ANHBUC]

She probably sees herself as top of the pecking order so is just letting you know your place when you intrude.

That sounds like a lot of greens for 4 hens.  I would only give mine a little once or twice a week and the same with the corn.  The pellets they get are a balanced diet for them so other things are a treat.  If they freerange they will be getting plenty of bugs and greens to keep them occupied and not bored.   

[sneezer]

They have a 30ft x 35ft area this used to be grass but now there is none which is why I give the greens,they eat most of these, I also let them into another area when I am about and this just about has grass which they scoff, should I cut down on the greens?
Thankyou for your replies

[ANHBUC]

I would as I have had problems with soft shelled eggs when they get too many treats.  They are fine on just the layers pellets as they contain everything they need.  Treat other things like you would giving kids sweets.    

[sneezer]

Thanks ANHBUC i thought greens were to be put there at all times if there was no grass, good news for me as they were costing me a fortune!