Chicken Pulling and eating feathers

[AllynTal]

Feather Fixer is essentially a gimmick, IMHO...

It basically has 2% more protein than layer at 18% verses 16%. I would go all the way and get a flock raiser (20%) or un medicated starter (22%) for at least the first bag or until the issue is corrected. As long as you provide OS on the side, it will work for everybody in your flock.

Maybe watch a video of peepers being applied. I've never done it but it always good to see examples, I would think...

I wouldn't call it a 'gimmick'. It isn't just about the amount of protein. Feather Fixer has chelated trace minerals to support feather regrowth and sulphur which is, as far as I know, one of the few effective treatments against knemidokoptes laevis var. gallinae, commonly called the depluming mite. It isn't a gimmick; it's a different formula.

 

[aart]

Quote: What are the 'trace minerals'?

Sulfur is cheap and could be used DIY, many do use it externally, and does it really work internally?
I believe they stopped using the mite thing as a marketing point,
which was pushed hard when it first came out,
because it probably doesn't work.

Problem I have with FF is it's higher calcium.
Feather growth most often happens during a molt,
when higher calcium is not needed because they are not laying.

So, yeah, marketing gimmick......like so many things in the consumer pipeline.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

@Autumn Leaves

I think the Nutrina flock raiser is also 18% protein. I do understand being at the mercy of your local store. In a town big enough to have a TSC, you don't have any smaller feed stores?

Did you make the OS and grit to separate containers from each other as well?

 

[AllynTal]

What are the 'trace minerals'?

Sulfur is cheap and could be used DIY, many do use it externally, and does it really work internally?
I believe they stopped using the mite thing as a marketing point,
which was pushed hard when it first came out,
because it probably doesn't work.

Problem I have with FF is it's higher calcium.
Feather growth most often happens during a molt,
when higher calcium is not needed because they are not laying.

So, yeah, marketing gimmick......like so many things in the consumer pipeline.

I understand that because you disagree with a single component in the feed that you feel like it's a gimmick. Using that logic, all feed is a gimmick except one. Which one depends on exactly which one each person finds that fits their exact need. They're ALL gimmicks except that one magical formula....

 

[aart]

Quote: Many animals feeds, and other products, are indeed gimmicky.
That's why I encourage folks to look beyond the beautiful graphics with their catchy names and bold claims,
and pay more attention to the finely printed ingredient and nutritive percentage tags.
Then use their brains and some logic to decide what their birds really need.

As to the calcium...do you think that molting birds should be eating 3.75% calcium?
Do you think that folks with raggedy birds from treading or bugs,
should believe this food will make their feathers grow back beautifully,
when in reality they need to wait for the molt?

 

[AllynTal]

Many animals feeds, and other products, are indeed gimmicky.
That's why I encourage folks to look beyond the beautiful graphics with their catchy names and bold claims,
and pay more attention to the finely printed ingredient and nutritive percentage tags.
Then use their brains and some logic to decide what their birds really need.

As to the calcium...do you think that molting birds should be eating 3.75% calcium?
Do you think that folks with raggedy birds from treading or bugs,
should believe this food will make their feathers grow back beautifully,
when in reality they need to wait for the molt?

Well, I do read the long list of ingredients and nutrive percentages on the tag sewn to the bottom of the bag. In fact, I save each tag so I can compare them because the list changes seasonally. I think folks that buy a product just based on that manufacturer's claims without researching their problem shouldn't be surprised when they don't solve their problem. It's not the feed's fault if the consumer doesn't do due diligence. The manufacturer isn't going to label the feeds "Formula A," "Formula B," et al without making some mention of what that formula is intended to achieve. You call it a gimmick; I call it advertising.

 

[aart]

Quote: Advertising is gimmick.....and is very often way misleading.

 

[Autumn Leaves]

So today I saw 2 more of my girls pulling feathers. I have to assume my whole flock is doing it now. I feel like such a bad chicken mommy! I thought I was doing the right thing by feeding the layer feed! At least only one chicken has bad pecking, everyone else still has most of their vent feathers.

My plan:

Purchased 3 bags of Purina Flock Raiser crumbles. Not a fan of crumbles BUT it was all TSC had when I went yesterday. Switched out their feed. Once these bags are gone I will start exclusively going to Rural King and getting Flock Raiser in bulk. Its a long drive but TSC is useless for having chicken feed in stock. (Have always had oyster shell and grit for them separate).

Girls will all finish up the rest of my wet cat food this week as treats. I only have a few more cans so they are helping me not waste food too! Its Blue Buffalo Wilderness so its mostly meat.

Today adding the dye/bad tasting stuff to their butts and backs. All flock members.

Peepers are in the mail. Wish I had ordered more but all flock members except the bantams will get them. Plan on leaving them on for at least a month.

Add more perches to the run, and more stumps. Add some leafy branches for enrichment/distraction.

More free range time now that my hawks have cleared out.

Add a larger pan for dust bathing for more enrichment/feather care. I think my bigger girls will be more comfortable with a bit more room to stretch.

Long term, expand the run and cover more of it for winter.


I have a question about the peepers - for those who have had them work, how long should I leave them on? I want to break this habit now!

 

[aart]

Wow, 3 bags is a lot!
That would last me 2-3 months with my 20 birds, but feed some scratch too.

Don't feel terrible....I have several beardless EE's even with lots of space and protein.

Your plan sounds pretty good, 'enrichment'/diversion can help a lot along with the protein boost.

Not sure about the peepers, never used them.
I would think at least a couple weeks to start.

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