Eating Feathers????

[krazeepolack]

I sit in my cage w/my chicks almost everyday if I have time. One "red" seems to have adopted me already. She'll jump in my lap & sit for the longest time, getting rubbed & petted. Several others will sit for shorter times. What I have noticed recently, is all of a sudden, one hen or another will zoom down on a loose feather & scarf it as if they were starving. I have seen them eat a loose lying feather(s) amost 2" in length!!!! Is this a signal I don't understand?? Has anyone seen thier chickens doing this??

 

[Beckyinma]

Quote:
mine do it too. only the fluffy down ones though, not the big long pointy tip ones. I think they have a lot of protein in them.

 

[Imp]

Eating feathers can be a sign that they need more protein. What are they getting to eat?
It's usually not a problem unless they start plucking each other, but I don't think I'd like it. Maybe could cause a crop impaction????

Imp

 

[Kassaundra]

I also read on this forum it could be from a lack of lysine in their diet. (as well as protien)

 

[OregonChickenGal]

Some of mine do it also. They get plenty of protein. It's normal, chickens like feathers (down).

 

[krazeepolack]

They are only 9 weeks old, so I still have them on Pruina start & grow. They love the stuff.

 

[mskittydjs]

I have seen mine do it too. My girls are about 6 months old...2 BO and 3 BAs. I have 2 new RIRs girls (about 4-5 months old) and have noticed the others "picking" on them and pulling a feather or two out and occasionally eating it. My girls are on layer pellets. DH bought them instead of the crumbles and I don't think they eat the pellets as well.