Do you cull a feather plucker?

[sophiehatter1057]

We are new to chickens and I am grateful for all of you and your experience. If, after ensuring there's a ton of space, enrichment, clean food (20% protein), clean water, no pests, etc, you keep seeing the same chick (5 weeks old) plucking at others' feathers, do you cull?

 

[sophiehatter1057]

Adding: I "peck" her with my hand every time, and it startles her, but the behaviour is ongoing.

 

[Tookie]

How bad is the feather plucking? Are their bare spots on the others? Could you get a video?
I wonder if uping the protein more would help, since plucking can be from not getting enough protein, because feathers are made up of protein.
Also, since this chick is 5 weeks old, there's a possibility its a male. So could you get a picture?

 

[tlcmurphy]

How much space do they have?

 

[sophiehatter1057]

How bad is the feather plucking? Are their bare spots on the others? Could you get a video?
I wonder if uping the protein more would help, since plucking can be from not getting enough protein, because feathers are made up of protein.
Also, since this chick is 5 weeks old, there's a possibility its a male. So could you get a picture?

Sure! Do you mean a picture of the damage, or of the suspect? They're already at 20% protein. Would you up it further? (This chick has been a problem for weeks). This picture shows damage from a couple of days ago. It was worse today with a tiny bit of bleeding.

 

[sophiehatter1057]

How much space do they have?

Right now, 5 square feet per chick. I've split them into two huge brooders.

 

[tlcmurphy]

Right now, 5 square feet per chick. I've split them into two huge brooders.

I’d start with more space. That’s plenty of coop space, but they should have at least 10 sq ft of run space per bird as well.

 

[Tookie]

Sure! Do you mean a picture of the damage, or of the suspect? They're already at 20% protein. Would you up it further? (This chick has been a problem for weeks). This picture shows damage from a couple of days ago. It was worse today with a tiny bit of bleeding.View attachment 4128689

A picture of the suspect, I'd like to take a look at those wattles and comb, because I'm wondering if the aggression *could* be because its a male.
Yes, you can up it further, 22% would be good.
But that's terrible damage! I'm leaning towards aggressive behavior rather than not enough protein, because that's a lot of exposed skin.
Some individuals can just be aggressive and there's nothing you can do, so I suppose if the behavior doesn't stop, if you're comfortable doing so you could cull.

 

[sophiehatter1057]

I’d start with more space. That’s plenty of coop space, but they should have at least 10 sq ft of run space per bird as well.

I agree, but this started at 3 weeks so I'm worried it's something innate?

 

[sophiehatter1057]

A picture of the suspect, I'd like to take a look at those wattles and comb, because I'm wondering if the aggression *could* be because its a male.
Yes, you can up it further, 22% would be good.
But that's terrible damage! I'm leaning towards aggressive behavior rather than not enough protein, because that's a lot of exposed skin.
Some individuals can just be aggressive and there's nothing you can do, so I suppose if the behavior doesn't stop, if you're comfortable doing so you could cull.

Thank you! I'll go take that photo!