How do you stop feather eating/ pecking?

kaywould said:

Every time I have had problems with pecking/pulling feathers, it has been the older hens doing it. Once I got rid of them the problem was solved. Which was fine for me because they were usually around 3 years old and had slowed down on egg production. Have found the same solution to eating/pecking/breaking eggs. It's always the older hens, in my experience, and when I cull the older hens the problem vanishes.

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Ugh. So not what I wanted to hear, but I agree, the problems are only with the older hens. That sucks. I am too attached to mine to kill any of them. I'll just continue to keep her in a separate coop with the rooster. They seem happy together.

As crazy as it sounds, around where I live, there seem to be a lot of people that want to buy older hens. I list my 3 year old hens on Craigslist for $5 a hen and have no problem finding buyers That way I don't have to go through the hassle of butchering and eating tough 3-year old hen/rooster meat.

The bad behavior likely started while they were caged, bored, and displaying dominance in a small area. If they aren't laying eggs (which you didn't mention) I would cull them. I just had a thought. Mustard. Yes, I am the mustard lady. Smear A LOT of mustard all over it's hind end and let the aggressor get a hearty taste of that. That is also my solution to egg eating chickens. Put yellow mustard inside of an egg and leave it in an obvious place for the chicken to taste test.

kaywould said:

Every time I have had problems with pecking/pulling feathers, it has been the older hens doing it. Once I got rid of them the problem was solved. Which was fine for me because they were usually around 3 years old and had slowed down on egg production. Have found the same solution to eating/pecking/breaking eggs. It's always the older hens, in my experience, and when I cull the older hens the problem vanishes.

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so you're saying that females get more cranky as they age? interesting................

MrsBockBockBock said:

So one of my poor frizzles was being "pecked on" leaving his backend bare, I had trouble crocheting a sweater or saddle and it seamed stiff so instead since he's a guy I decided to be cooler and make a sweatshirt. I cut the sleeve of an old sweatshirt and cut wingelling slots. I also added some little holes for a draw string around the neck. He seams to be adjusting and now he's covered and protected with full mobility. And looks pretty sweet in his new swag! Check out my Scraggles the frizzle.

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That is so cool, and your rooster is so cute. I'd like to make one of these for one of my hens; she has an apron on, but the one doing the picking just lifts up her apron and picks. (Sigh) Now she is also picking the front of her and this looks like a good solution. I don't know why she allows herself to be pecked, but she does. She is larger hen that also gets mated so I am trying to rethink the neck ties ... any suggestions? Also, how hard was it to get the wings in the cut-outs? Easier because stretchy material?

I was all pretty easy and I'm sure that even if she was mated it would be successful and even if it wasn't at least she would get a break and have a chance. When I made the "sweatshirt" I had to make sure that I trimmed the belly part pretty good so it wouldn't get stepped on when they walked or ran. The draw string was necessary to keep the whole thing from falling off. The wing holes were simple too just get a good idea where the wing meet the body and how long of a slit you will need based on how wide it is at their "armpit" area is. For a full size bird you may have to make the slit a little longer and use some finesse getting the wing through but it is possible. Also try the purple/blue stuff called "peck no more" its messy and smells funny but it works for my flock and it stains just a little FYI on that there. I wish you luck.

Thanks MrsBockBockBock, will use your advise and have printed the pictures you posted to make sure I make mine to fit the same way. Really does look like it would work very well.

Hi everyone! I just bought 10 pullets from someone who says 7 of them are 10 weeks old and 3 are 8 weeks old. (We think they are younger than he said). They are all missing many feathers on the back, most are bare and some their tail feathers. I have been watching them and they are constantly pecking each others backs where the feathers are missing. When one pecks, the one being pecked isn't running away, just moving away, so I don't think it's a "pecking order" thing. What would cause young chickens to eat feathers like that. They do it all day long. I'm beginning to wonder if these were birds have this habit and that's why he was getting rid of them. We are brand new to chickens but one of my friends who has kept chickens for many years came over today and watched them and said it doesn't look like a pecking order thing that perhaps they are lacking something...protein? We are feeding them medicated feed, I put electrolytes in their water and tonight my son bought them some crickets which they totally loved. Anyone have any advice to help me out????

Can you share what brand or a link to it. I'm finding all kinds and I'm not sure which one to get. I'm going through this feather picking and need to nip it quickly. Thank you!

catoaz said:

Can you share what brand or a link to it.  I'm finding all kinds and I'm not sure which one to get.  I'm going through this feather picking and need to nip it quickly.  Thank you!

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Perhaps start feeding them some meat everyday for awhile. I feed mine liver and other organ meat, but ground beef would work as well.