Eating feathers

[NatJ]

I know pecking feather off other birds is bad, buty chickens gobble up any feather they naturally drop. Particularly the down. Is that normal?

It's fairly common, and it won't hurt them.
It can indicate a protein deficiency.
It can also indicate boredom, or chickens that are just being chickens
So just make sure their diet is appropriate, and then don't worry about it.

 

[tsperry88]

I use a trough feeder and it has food all day. They just pick through the top with their beak for the best bits. Filling it in the am and pm only they eat about half the food in the trough each time, not just their favorites.

 

[tsperry88]

Currently happy chickens.

 

[aart]

it has food all day.

What kind of food?
Commercial feed, what protein percentage?

 

[tsperry88]

New Country Organics grower feed. 19% protein.

 

[aart]

New Country Organics grower feed. 19% protein.

That' should be good, unless you feed a bunch of other stuff.
If it's cracked grains...
Cracked grain feeds are best utilized when wetted or fermented, so the 'fines'(vitamins/minerals/amino acids) get eaten.
Might want to go to pellets or crumbles.