Feather Eating - Problem or no problem?

[Flock Master64]

I'll have to measure but mostly they are free ranged

 

[junebuggena]

Free ranging will do little to alleviate overcrowding stress if the coop is much too small.

 

[Braxton Brigade]

I'll have to measure but mostly they are free ranged

I would recommend adding a "boredom buster" just in case they are just plain bored.

Cabbage and other vegetables are popular to put on a string, they peck at this instead of each other.

I would also recommend switching to a feed with closer to 20% protein, I actually buy 20% flock feed and mix farmers helper "ultrakibble" at their recommended ratio of 1-10 with their feed and then ferment it.

It has all kinds of high protein ingredients that won't dilute your food like typical scratch/treats would, I know some people add fish meal or catfish pellets as a protein supplement.

 

[Flock Master64]

Thanks for the info

 

[Flock Master64]

The coop size is 5 foot Long, 3 feet Wide and 4 feet High. The run is 20 feet Long, 8 feet Wide and 4 feet tall

 

[junebuggena]

The coop is only big enough for 3 birds. Any more than that and it's kind of just asking for problems. This is probably the root of your issue.

 

[Flock Master64]

Just the coop or the whole run, I forgot to mention the coop does have a second floor

 

[fluffychicken45]

Hello
My chickens eat feathers. Not by plucking them off, but if there's a feather laying on the ground that's not too dirty they'll eat it. Why? They've been doing this since the age of 10 weeks and I've only seen it it a few times. I noticed it again today which lead me to asking about it. They're now 18 weeks old and have no eggs yet. They have access to food inside the coop at all times during the day and water is outside and inside. ??? Thanks. 

I know,my baby chicks do the same thing.

 

[aart]

Just the coop or the whole run, I forgot to mention the coop does have a second floor

Post a pic of coop and run.

 

[Flock Master64]

After I clean it out I will