Do they need more protein?

[Alphagamchick]

I posted this somewhere else and someone said maybe they need more protein. Looking for more info. My young roosters -20 weeks and younger pull out the hens feathers and eat them. Never remember this happening when I had chickens as a kid. I am feeding them grower food and just this week added some laying mash as I anticipate the oldest hens laying any day now. What do you think about the feather eating roo habit?

 

[SandraChick]

It has been said many a time to add protein for feather eaters...but I've learned in the last year that giving sunflower seeds will help.

I give all my feather eaters Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (BOSSS), with the hull on it. Almost all my "rescues" eat feathers when I get them...and BOSS has done the trick every time.

Now, if it has become a habit...you may have to separate the roo for a little bit to get it out of him....but just toss him some sunflower seeds and see if that fixes it.

 

[Alphagamchick]

SandraChick,

Thanks for the tip. Sounds like an easy fix. Will give it a try. Wonder if it will curb those roos from picking on the hens a bit. They are teenagers-hope they settle down some.

 

[SandraChick]

well- those roos are hormone laden teenage boys....and we all know what that means....

poor girls!
Sandra