Feather eating

[Littlecimarron18]

Ok so my girls have decided that feathers are tasty.
I dont know what the problem is but any feather that floats around is gone.
They even chase after each other to get them.
Are they missing something in their diet?
They have free choice grain, oyster shell and laying mash.
Also they get black oil sunflower seeds as a daily treat.
They dont peck eachother to get the feathers, but as soon as they see a loose one its gone

 

[CarriBrown]

They are missing protein. You can fix the problem by scrambling eggs for them, giving them lean ground beef, or feeding them some chicken (sounds weird, I know, but they love it). You may want to cut the grains out and give it as a treat only.

 

[silkiechicken]

They probably like eating grains more so aren't getting enough layer mash with the protein in it. If you want to continue giving grains free choice, which I personally wouldn't, I'd get a higher protein layer, such as layer supplement, which is 20-22% protein.

 

[Littlecimarron18]

thanks guys. = )


I'll cut grains and maybe add a little water to the mash.


I have too many chickens to really add meat or anything for more than 1 day. but i'll see what i can do.

Also would this sudden change have anything to do with not being free range anymore?