Strange behavior in my birds

[pookiethebear]

Is this normal and why would they do this??

I have 10 chickens, 1 roo, 9 hens. Roo (Rosco) is a RIR, as are 3 hens, 2 are EE, 2 White Leghorns, 2 Black links. Hubby seen one of the red hens picking the feathers out of Roscos hackle, and eating it. He let this continue until she apparently pulled a tight one and then he just stood up and towered over her and gave her that look and she flattened out on the ground in submission.

Is this just a grooming preening thing they do to each other like monkeys??? He is not showing any signs of baldness, and he is still the ruler of the roost.

 

[debilorrah]

My hens have pecked our roo's neck almost bald in the front and he lets them until he has had enough. None of them seem to mind at all.

 

[mlmadura]

mine pick at each other - usually they seem to be playing - but they are also at the age to estab their pecking order

 

[sussexgal]

I believe feather picking can be a sign of not enough protein? The hen is eating the feather... not spitting it out.

 

[MissPrissy]

If they are picking feathers and eating them they are showing some signs of lack of protein. Give them some meat scraps or a small handful of kitty kibble and see if it stops. Sometimes picking is just picking but it can be a sign of other serious problems and needs. Most chicken feeds are made void of meat proteins. Chickens are omnivors and they need meat proteins to be nutritionally complete.

 

[pookiethebear]

I don't have kittly kibble but I do have high protein dog kibble. I will have hubby give them some today.

Thanks.

 

[Attack Chicken]

My roo lets hi two pullets preen him sometimes. They don't pull feathers though.