Hen plucking and eating each other's feathers

Date sort Score sort
My 18 week old runt BO started doing this earlier today. She was chasing and plucking other chickens down and started eating them. I feed them spinach(it has protein in it, but very little) once in a while, and eggs. I try to stay away from feeding them eggs often beacuse sometimes they dont like to finish the eggs in one ago... and eventually the ants find their way to the eggs and it just becomes a big mess of ants :\ Should i buy bird starter and mix it in with the rice that i have mixed in with a little bit of layer?
 
I have two hens from another flock that have been quaretined and introduced to my flock. They have been with my flock for about 3 weeks now. When they were bought one had been hen pecked. No blood, but obvious bald spots on the neck and near the vent and on top near the tail feathers. No visible signs of wounds or past wounds. The white Leghorn will pluck feathers out of the Ameracauna periodically. She won't eat them just pulls them out and disgaurds them. They have a decent relationship and there is never any squabbling. It's almost like she is grooming her it's so docile and accepted by the Ameracauna. It wouldn't bother me except the poor bird looks terrible and her neck feathers are almost stunted in growing back. Suggestions?
 
Usually by the end of the season when molt starts, none of my EEs have beard feathers. They seem to get them plucked more during the hottest weather and yes, when I do witness it, the EE getting plucked has her neck extended like she's enjoying the grooming. They won't grow back until the next molt. Mine usually keeps them through the winter, except one who loses them almost as she replaces them (must be itchy) and like I said, by the time summer's over, they're almost all gone. They're 5 years old now and all still laying so I see no problem.
 

Similar threads

Lidy
    • Love
Eating Eggs and feathers
Replies
8
Views
1K
Lidy
Lidy
Meghannor
Chickens plucking each others feathers, what do I do?!
2
Replies
10
Views
2K
South Dakota Guy
South Dakota Guy
Fallbrook Chicken Mama
    • Love
32-week old Brahma still not laying eggs
2
Replies
17
Views
644
Fallbrook Chicken Mama
Fallbrook Chicken Mama
Craigboy53
    • Like
Why did our hens stop laying?
Replies
5
Views
273
Craigboy53
Craigboy53
M
Can dominent hen be pecked on or molt at 8 months old?
Replies
2
Views
776
mich17mak
M

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom