Chicken's pecking other chickens feathers

[beachchickie]

I have read that hanging Christmas tree balls and CD's help with boredom. Feed them some peanut butter and yogurt mixed for added protein. Also, if you can catch them in the act get a high powered water gun and spray them they will quickly get the idea this is no fun.

 

[kartking22]

I have found that the main reason that birds are eating feathers is lack of protien as mentioned earlier. I try to get tallow or beef fat from the local butcher store and let them peck at it. Beef fat is usually discarded at most butcher shops due to lack of interest in it and is usually picked up by rendering plants. Many butcher shops are charged for the removal of this waste and would welcome anyone to take it for free.
If this isn't an option for you, try feeding them a few bags of game bird feed. Regular chicken feed contains soy meal as the source for protien. The game bird feed uses animal protiens as thier source. Blood meal is normally the protien used in these feeds. The blood meal can also be purchased at your local feed store and mixed in with your regular chicken feed.
This is a few suggestions that I use but you can use your imagination to find a cheaper alternative. Sunflower seeds still have the same protien as the soy meal. Your birds are seeking animal protien when eating feathers, NOT plant protien. There is a difference and your birds know what they need. You'd be suprised on how fast they stop pecking once they get what they are looking for.

 

[tdbrueggen]

I'll revive the thread, even though I'm sure there are a dozen others like it but more current.

I've just noticed pecking in my Amerecauna (sp?) pullet chicks. They are only 5-6 weeks old. It looks like only one seems to be bullying the others. But how do you go about bullying the bully to make them stop? I have a total of 6 chicks. They are in a small coop, but have full access to a 5x10' run. They are only cooped at night. I always keep their feeder full of chick starter and plenty of water. It's clear they've been digging plenty out in the run, and every sort of bug, pest, or good table scrap I get goes to them.

I'm thinking it's a bullying thing, but not sure how to correct it. Thoughts?