Bully chi

[Merrymouse]

You So I’ve been noticing for a while that my chickens were being plucked. They are usually in gorgeous feather condition. I’ve found the culprit. My buff Orpington is plucking a few of the girls feathers and eating them. Is she missing something in her diet or is she just being a bully. I watched her do it many times today alone. I picked her up right away and held her for a while. But she went right back to doing it. I have her separated for the moment. She’s being a jerk. I’m thinking of giving her away to someone who keeps roosters to keep her in line. Any thoughts? Here is what she’s been doing to my Cochin and speckled sussex

 

[DobieLover]

View attachment 1688470 View attachment 1688471 You So I’ve been noticing for a while that my chickens were being plucked. They are usually in gorgeous feather condition. I’ve found the culprit. My buff Orpington is plucking a few of the girls feathers and eating them. Is she missing something in her diet or is she just being a bully. I watched her do it many times today alone. I picked her up right away and held her for a while. But she went right back to doing it. I have her separated for the moment. She’s being a jerk. I’m thinking of giving her away to someone who keeps roosters to keep her in line. Any thoughts? Here is what she’s been doing to my Cochin and speckled sussex

What and how are you feeding them? Include all treats and approximate amounts.
How many birds do you have? Any cockerels/roosters?
How large is their coop/run in feet x feet?

 

[Merrymouse]

They are getting Purina Layena crumbles free choice all day. I have a separate feeder of grit and oyster shells. Probably 3 to 4 times a week I give them approx 1 1/2 Cup Scratch (I think its Dumor but cant remember) and 1 1/2 cup of dried mealworm. I have 12 hens no roosters. They are in two 4x8 coops and the run is 14x16. The buff is coming up to 1 year old.

 

[DobieLover]

They are getting Purina Layena crumbles free choice all day. I have a separate feeder of grit and oyster shells. Probably 3 to 4 times a week I give them approx 1 1/2 Cup Scratch (I think its Dumor but cant remember) and 1 1/2 cup of dried mealworm. I have 12 hens no roosters. They are in two 4x8 coops and the run is 14x16. The buff is coming up to 1 year old.

You have a nice sized area for your flock.
I would recommend switching them over to an All Flock type of feed with 18 - 20% protein. You are already accustomed to feeding grit and OS in separate containers.
Offering them some high protein snacks (the mealworms are good) will also help. Maybe some sardines or tuna.
If your feather picker continues her bad behavior with the increase in protein, you may want to try pinless peepers for a while.

 

[Merrymouse]

You have a nice sized area for your flock.
pinless peepers for a while.

pinless peepers? Going to have to google that one...