Chicks plucking feathers?

[dgriffi3]

We have 9 chicks, about 7-8 weeks old. (We got two batches.) They spend the day in a large run—22ft by 8 ft. They seem happy, making dust baths and eating weeds and bugs, very active and adorable.

This afternoon I noticed that one sex link had a slightly bare patch on her chest. Later, my daughter saw some of the other chicks pecking at her! It’s weird. She’s one of the biggest, by far, and usually they all get along.

I noticed that their food had run out and it was a busy day, so that might have happened earlier in the day. We gave them more food and I observed them for a long time and nobody was pecking at her at all. (And she ate, she’s not being squeezed out or anything.)

Is it ok to let her sleep with them all as usual tonight? Should I mover her into the garage? They all hate being separated so I worry she will be really scared if she’s alone, but I don’t want her getting hurt.

Thanks!

 

[sourland]

I'd be tempted to keep her with them, but monitor closely tomorrow.

 

[dgriffi3]

I'd be tempted to keep her with them, but monitor closely tomorrow.

Thanks! That was my feeling as well. I am about to go peek at them in the coop. If she’s not being pestered I will keep them together.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

What is the crude protein percentage of the feed?
It may be due to being out of food for a day but if protein is marginal, that could have them feather picking for chicks that age.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I once had a rash of cannibalism in a flock of young growing birds around 11 weeks when I cut back the protein too early.

 

[dgriffi3]

What is the crude protein percentage of the feed?
It may be due to being out of food for a day but if protein is marginal, that could have them feather picking for chicks that age.

18%. It is Purina Premium start and grow non-medicated.
Is the enough?

 

[dgriffi3]

(I meant “is that enough”)

 

[dgriffi3]

Ok, so now I’m reading that they should have been on 20% at least until recently. How frustrating, I should not have relied on the feed store for this information.

I might go ahead and get them a 20%feed for the next few weeks to be safe.

Thank you

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I've successfully raised chicks on 18% protein with no problems but 20% for the first 5 or 6 weeks isn't a bad idea.
Perhaps get a bag of 20 and mix that with your 18% for a couple weeks.
About 80-90% of the time, feed store employees are the wrong place to seek guidance.
One is always better off to read the feeding instructions on the bags of feed. The manufacturer knows what is in the feed and what birds it was formulated for.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I always keep the 24% grower on hand and give my birds a saucer full once a week just to ensure good protein in the diet. I'll stop that once they reach 5 months old and then give it to them again when they lay a lot of eggs for me!