Feather eating

[SuperLuke]

Is it bad if a chicken eats the other chickens feathers? Like is it bad for there insides?

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

While feathers contain 85% protein, they are not really digestible. If a bird is in need of a lot of protein, such as during molting, they will eat feathers. It won't kill them, but it is really not good for them. Try to keep the feathers picked up around the coop and run and give them more protein. You can add some cooked ground turkey or beef a couple times a week and this should help to curb the feather eating.

Eating feathers can also become a habit. So do your best to stop this feather eating.

Welcome to our flock!

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you decided to join our flock. X2 on TwoCrows advice. Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. What kind of chickens do you have?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

X3 chickens who are eating feathers usually are lacking protein. Feed them meat scrapes, mealworms, oatmeal, quinoa or eggs. Eating feathers is not a good thing as it can cause crop problems so deal with this soon.