Feather-less chick

[Newchickgrandma]

What to do for 4 week chick who's getting picked on and also pulls out her own feathers? Will she ever get better? I'm worried about her because she's colder than the rest.

 

[cavemanrich]

Feather eating is sometimes brought about by insufficient protein in diet. I'm not sure if that is such in your situation. Also not sure what you are feeding your (all) chicks.
A simple possible short term solution, to test,, is give additional protein. Cat food is ideal source of extra protein. You can offer dry,,(crushed for chicks) or canned food. You don't need to overdo the amount,, Try small doses, and adjust as needed.
See my Avatar,, my chickens raid the cats' food whenever they get a chance. BTW all my chickens do live long lives as pets.
Excessive amounts of protein result in runnier stools,, and somewhat smellier. Similar to when people eat too much rich food,, well,,,,, you know what happens. So try to increase the protein and see what results you achieve.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[Newchickgrandma]

Feather eating is sometimes brought about by insufficient protein in diet. I'm not sure if that is such in your situation. Also not sure what you are feeding your (all) chicks.
A simple possible short term solution, to test,, is give additional protein. Cat food is ideal source of extra protein. You can offer dry,,(crushed for chicks) or canned food. You don't need to overdo the amount,, Try small doses, and adjust as needed.
See my Avatar,, my chickens raid the cats' food whenever they get a chance. BTW all my chickens do live long lives as pets.
Excessive amounts of protein result in runnier stools,, and somewhat smellier. Similar to when people eat too much rich food,, well,,,,, you know what happens. So try to increase the protein and see what results you achieve.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

So cat food. Do you feed your chickens all cat food or just a certain amount?

 

[Mamatomany123]

What are you feeding them?

 

[Newchickgrandma]

What are you feeding them?

My chick starter feed has 18% protein. I think it's called Country Companion

 

[Mamatomany123]

My chick starter feed has 18% protein. I think it's called Country Companion

From my research, that's not enough protien for chicks. I've always fed 24% until they were old enough to start eating the all flock pellets that I feed everyone which is usually around 10-12 weeks. They've never had any problems with feathering out. Are you able to get a higher protien feed?

 

[cavemanrich]

So cat food. Do you feed your chickens all cat food or just a certain amount?

The chickens steal what is leftover when I release them into backyard free-range. Usually in the late afternoon. Or when I'm outside doing things. The cats get their rations of food first thing in the morning. It does not get totally eaten until later in the day.