Adding cat fish pellets for feather picking?

[HensInTheForest]

Since I've reduced scratch treats to once or twice a week I've noticed an increase in feather pecking on 2 or 3 of the lower rank girls.

I get the idea they are bored with winter and probably each other too.

I have ample run size 12 sq ft per bird just floorspace not including multiple roosts 2 are 12 ft long and ramps to play on and the coop could hold 10 more birds so we are good there.

We've noticed at roosting time in the coop they sit on the roost bar plus on the tray rim below facing both ways so they cluster taking up literally half the 25ft roost bar space. Warmth yes just curious if some if it happens there.

Rather than divert attention with scratch I have been tossing 30% game bird food to them. Mealworms maybe once a week.

I saw someone using cat fish pellets they are 32 to 36% protein but not sure if anything else in that would harm them. Also others use black sunflower seeds or block treats good for boredom but some say those are terrible for them. So many cooks!

I need to hang a treat cabbage to up their entertainment will try that this weekend. They are getting 20%FR now but maybe they need more protein in winter with fewer bugs? If it's just boredom will adding protein even matter?

I have my suspicions and may crate the suspect after the cold snap coming our way and see if that helps too.

Thoughts on the cat fish pellets?
Other recs from the crowd?

 

[nuthatched]

What type of feed are they getting as a regular ration?

 

[aart]

The FR should be plenty of protein.
I assume it is available every hour they are awake?
Food diversions are rarely going to solve pecking problems.

How many birds do you have and how old are they, in months?
How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Actual dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

 

[Folly's place]

Both posts so true! Their base diet could be a 20% all-flock or unmedicated chick diet, with oyster shell in a separate dish. Then minimal treats; don't try to 'supplement' them out of this behavior.
Space, and multiple feeders and waterers, and areas where birds can be out of sight of each other all help too.
Also, if you have one serious feather picker, get rid of her, or get pinless peepers and use them.
Mary

 

[HensInTheForest]

The FR should be plenty of protein.
I assume it is available every hour they are awake?
Food diversions are rarely going to solve pecking problems.

How many birds do you have and how old are they, in months?
How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Actual dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

Thanks Aart,

Run is 22 x 12 x 6 inside dimensions.
Coop 10 x 12, nest boxes built outside room.

20 birds all 10 months old started laying in Sept.

Food always available, pop door opens before dawn and closes after dark, food water in run.

I don't have pics on this phone will upload some tomorrow.

 

[aart]

20 birds all 10 months old started laying in Sept.

Did you get them all at the same time?

I don't have pics on this phone will upload some tomorrow

Looking forward to it.

 

[HensInTheForest]

Did you get them all at the same time?


Looking forward to it.

Yes all bought together as chicks.

Photos attached. I see that 2 of the big pots I use for clutter have been taken out and not replaced. Only 1 remains. My daughter used them in the coop to clean out poop trays and didn't return them. They are now frozen solid in the snowbank til spring.

One goal is to add structures in 2 corners this spring for more places to be roost and hide and a perch tree of some kind. I was thinking about adding full 1 x 6s between the outside posts in a few sections down the whole north side wall at different heights to give them more options.

We ran out of time last fall and my boys were chickened out. Also to add more roost bars maybe between the 4 x 4 posts down the middle at 2 levels. Seems easy enough.

Anyway let me know your thoughts.

 

[HensInTheForest]

Did you get them all at the same time?


Looking forward to it.

Curious what you think of the photos . . .

 

[aart]

Curious what you think of the photos . . .

Might add some stuff that blocks visuals.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[3KillerBs]

Get a few pallets to lean up against the walls, set up on concrete blocks, make A-frames from, etc.

Pallets are readily available for free and easily lend themselves to improvised construction of visual barriers and hiding places.