- Nov 23, 2013
- 3
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Hi,
So I'm new to the chicken world!! I have 8 Rhode Island Reds and no roosters. I don't let them free range because we live right up against the woods so it wouldn't end well. I've had them almost 2 years. This past summer I noticed they were picking feathers off each other and eating them. I came to this wonderful site and found that it might be a protein deficiency so I changed their food. I also give them the black sunflower seeds, boil eggs and crush them shell and all, and give them all sorts of left overs that have protein. They also get weeds and grass. They're still eating the feathers off each other. So now I'm getting 0-4 eggs a day because they're continuously molting. I don't know if they're bored. They have about 120 sq feet outside to roam around that's protected and a good sized coop. I live in NH so my chickens really need feathers for the winter. I don't know what else to do. I like having chickens but I just want them all to have feathers!!!! Thanks for the suggestions!! Kerstin
So I'm new to the chicken world!! I have 8 Rhode Island Reds and no roosters. I don't let them free range because we live right up against the woods so it wouldn't end well. I've had them almost 2 years. This past summer I noticed they were picking feathers off each other and eating them. I came to this wonderful site and found that it might be a protein deficiency so I changed their food. I also give them the black sunflower seeds, boil eggs and crush them shell and all, and give them all sorts of left overs that have protein. They also get weeds and grass. They're still eating the feathers off each other. So now I'm getting 0-4 eggs a day because they're continuously molting. I don't know if they're bored. They have about 120 sq feet outside to roam around that's protected and a good sized coop. I live in NH so my chickens really need feathers for the winter. I don't know what else to do. I like having chickens but I just want them all to have feathers!!!! Thanks for the suggestions!! Kerstin