Chickens plucking feathers out of eachother??

[Ebony Rose]

Same as with humans on the ratio :d A scoop of rice, a scoop of beans *winks* This is a treat, not a meal. A healthy treat... but not a meal.

 

[Nelson-Collier]

Same as with humans on the ratio :d A scoop of rice, a scoop of beans *winks* This is a treat, not a meal. A healthy treat... but not a meal.

I gotcha. Not a meal. Thanks very much I appreciate it

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

They might just need more protein.

 

[Henny7penny77]

Hey, I have been having the exact same problem and stumbled across your post. Our bottom of the pecking order hen is having her side feathers plucked out one by one when she dust bathes. We have a camera and can see this is the only time it is happening. Vet confirmed no parasites and they have lots of enrichment and good quality layer pellets with 17% protein. How did the story end? Did you manage to break the habit? We are currently putting in their dust bath into the run once a day and sitting with a water gun to stop the perpetrator. It is very time intensive and they can obviously still dust bathe in lots of other spots even without their favourite bath!

 

[GLASSBACK]

Have they got enough space? Feather pecking is a bad habit and getting them to stop can take a bit of perseverance. It can be from needing extra protein in which case a feed with a higher protein ‰ will normally stop it but it can also be from boredom or lack of space. If you can allow them more space and put some obstacles or peck blocks or something out that can also work. You can also get no peck sprays to spray on the affected hens. It leaves a bad taste in the perpetrators mouth. It needs to be applied regularly though as dust bathing and rain will clean it off.

I have the same problem! It’s just 1 bullying bird! They have Akers of space, loads of foraging areas! Correct food and water etc… I take exceptional care of my girls! Yet this still happens? I’m thinking it’s just habit because she rules the roost!