Chick pulling feathers

[gsgosselin]

My 4 week old chick is pulling her tail feathers. The others are chewing at her too. There are a total of 4 chicks. All of them are about the same age. She is bleeding, but not bad at all. I know I could remove her but she is still chewing herself. What should I do?

 

[junebuggena]

A few things can cause feather picking at that age. The most common would be inadequate protein intake. The next most common would be overcrowding. The third, and least likely, is boredom.

 

[drumstick diva]

Also put Blu-Kote on areas where feathers have been pulled. The color red just begs for pecking to chickens.

 

[gsgosselin]

A few things can cause feather picking at that age. The most common would be inadequate protein intake. The next most common would be overcrowding. The third, and least likely, is boredom.

 

[gsgosselin]

I have 4 in a large blue tote with wheels. I give them commercial starter feed and I have a little log in there for them to climb on. They can fly out of the tote. I will put some feed in a water bottle with holes in it. Should I put scratch in it?

 

[junebuggena]

At 4 weeks old, they need at least 2 sq feet of space per chick. They are beginning establish their pecking order, and that requires space.

 

[gsgosselin]

I have a metal dog crate with 1/4 inch wire mesh covering the sides. It won't be react free. Should I move them into that? It's big enough for a german shepherd

 

[junebuggena]

It might work for a few more days, but your chicks are doubling in size each week, and their space needs double too. Since you're in Alabama, it's probably plenty warm enough for those chicks to move outside permanently.

 

[gsgosselin]

Then I will need to start introducing them to the rest of the flock. They are all 10 months old

 

[junebuggena]

Keep them in the large crate inside the run so that the adults can get used to having the around for a week. Or set up a temporary coop and run next to the adults. That way, the adults get used to the chicks without feeling like their territory is being threatened.