Eating a feather

[Justde]

We have chicks together of multiple ages - 2, 3 and 4 weeks old. They get along fine. 2 days ago one found a feather and and was eating it. My husband grabbed it out of it's mouth, only the quill remaining. Do we need to worry? They have alot of space, temperature is good. It was one random feather, but the concern is if the feather is harmful and/or if we need to monitor to make sure no one is picking on anyone (we haven't seen that)

 

[Brooks_]

The one feather is fine. What protein % is your feed. Monitor for feather picking? Yeah, I would.

 

[Justde]

The one feather is fine. What protein % is your feed. Monitor for feather picking? Yeah, I would.

Neutrena 18% crumbles. We're out there fairly frequently and don't see anyone picking on anyone. Struck us as a random feather. But we'll watch.

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

My chickens have done this before and I haven't figured why until I realized that if your chicken is eating feathers, it could be a sign of a deficiency in vitamins and/or minerals. Your chickens turn to feathers because there is protein and other essential vitamins/minerals in them. I heard feeding them tuna (not brined. Canned, in spring water) helps, so try that and if it doesn't work, consider feeding them these below:
- Hard boiled eggs
- Live mealworms
- Anything rich in protein
- Leafy greens or grass
There are other reasons as to why your chickens are eating feathers. I highly doubt they have wounds but still check to make sure.
You don't have to worry about them picking on each other if they're getting along fine.

 

[Brooks_]

Neutrena 18% crumbles. We're out there fairly frequently and don't see anyone picking on anyone. Struck us as a random feather. But we'll watch.

Most likely a random feather.

 

[Perris]

feathers are ingredients in some poultry feeds; eating them is fine. At the age of your chicks, they are exploring the world through their mouths, just like toddlers do, mostly working out what is edible and what's not, what gives them tummy ache and what doesn't.