Feather Eating

[jlpierce45]

I have one 10 week old pullet that is picking feathers and eating them from the other pullets. I am wondering if this is a feed deficiency or if she is a bully? I have plenty of floor as well as vertical space in the coop so space should not be an issue. They are on Dumor 20% starter and grower and get occasional treats throughout the week. How can this be fixed before blood is drawn?

 

[rosemarythyme]

What does your set up look like? Is it just a big empty space, or is there stuff (not food) to keep them occupied?

If no issues with set up, maybe you could try cutting out treats and boosting protein, in case it's the protein that's attracting her. Pinless peepers as a last resort.

 

[Vickischics]

I have one 10 week old pullet that is picking feathers and eating them from the other pullets. I am wondering if this is a feed deficiency or if she is a bully? I have plenty of floor as well as vertical space in the coop so space should not be an issue. They are on Dumor 20% starter and grower and get occasional treats throughout the week. How can this be fixed before blood is drawn?

I had Pullets doing the same thing! What the heck. Before I joined this forum, I researched this behavior. The pullets are maturing rapidly and require increased Protein in their diet. But, be careful about too much Protein because like humans, it can cause kidney issues. Fix one problem and cause another. I fed mine Cat food... yes, Cat food. Its Very high in Protein. I bought small bites and added a little water to soften it up. They Loved it. After a few days the feather eating stopped. Then it happened again. Then I gave them more cat food. I also went fishing and gave them fresh fish guts ( high in protein) they LOVED THAT. I offered them Sardines, tuna, scrambled eggs and night crawlers too. And guess what? Boom!!! Problem solved.
I did use "Pinless Peepers" and the googlie eyes on one Pullet only because she was pecking another to death. Not pulling the feathers and eating them. The protein is what fixed the feather eating problem. And I switched Feed. I use to use what you are using.

 

[jlpierce45]

I had Pullets doing the same thing! What the heck. Before I joined this forum, I researched this behavior. The pullets are maturing rapidly and require increased Protein in their diet. But, be careful about too much Protein because like humans, it can cause kidney issues. Fix one problem and cause another. I fed mine Cat food... yes, Cat food. Its Very high in Protein. I bought small bites and added a little water to soften it up. They Loved it. After a few days the feather eating stopped. Then it happened again. Then I gave them more cat food. I also went fishing and gave them fresh fish guts ( high in protein) they LOVED THAT. I offered them Sardines, tuna, scrambled eggs and night crawlers too. And guess what? Boom!!! Problem solved.
I did use "Pinless Peepers" and the googlie eyes on one Pullet only because she was pecking another to death. Not pulling the feathers and eating them. The protein is what fixed the feather eating problem. And I switched Feed. I use to use what you are using.

Thank you so much! What feed did you switch to?

 

[aart]

What does your set up look like? Is it just a big empty space, or is there stuff (not food) to keep them occupied?

Yes...look at space first.

 

[Vickischics]

Thank you so much! What feed did you switch to?

Purina with Omega

 

[aart]

Purina with Omega

Isn't that a layer feed?
OP's birds are only 10 weeks old.

I have one 10 week old pullet

 

[Vickischics]

Isn't that a layer feed?
OP's birds are only 10 weeks old.

Oops, I didnt know the age.. sorry. I feed my little ones Purina crumbles start n grow. Then switch to mini pellets and now, I use the Omega because two girls started laying yesterday. Yay! The start n grow has 18% Protein. The cat food had higher % protein probably because of the fish in it. I'd offer that too.
That's just what I did.
I bought 9 Lives because my chicks need the extra Lives added. Lol. No, it was on sale!!

 

[jlpierce45]

Thanks for all the help! The space has plenty of obstacles and different height roosts to occupy them all over the run. Another weird question, could it have possibly been from stress? My father was spreading fertilizer in our cattle pasture with a squeaky machine. She stopped once the noise stopped and has not done it again today.

 

[jlpierce45]

Also, yesterday she was only doing it when the other chickens were on the lowest roost right above her. She would not actively chase them to pluck feathers, only when they were conveniently right above her in her reach.