Feather pecking in rescue hens

[Kakapothechicken]

10 rescue barn hens brought home a month ago. Several have been treated for respiratory infections (ongoing). Some arrived with good feathers, others looked pretty terrible.

While most of the scruffy ones are growing nice new feathers there are some that are lacking around their necks and tails. I had seen the occasional bit of pecking but thought it would settle as they got used to their new environment and actually having space to move. But today I have seen one with good feathers going around and pulling the feathers off the others. It wasn’t just the odd peck but targeting specific birds and going after them until she got a beakfull of feathers.

I know this can be linked to a lack of protein. I think their food is around 16% which from what I’ve heard is very low. Unfortunately the chickens are technically my parents and so I can’t get the food changed. I can get them additional dietary supplements though.

I was wondering if I could make a sort of “chicken boost” with calcium powder, pea protein, apple cider vinegar and something like rice or oats to carry it? My only question is if pea protein is safe?

I have heard that their preferred protein source is animal based but as long as they get all the right amino acids then it will still work. I can also get them something like dried soldier fly larvae to go alongside it.

Any tips would be great.

 

[Perris]

you might find this useful
https://lhwf.co.uk/resources/defra-feather-pecking-guide/

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Pea protein should be safe - dried peas are frequently used in feed recipes, and have been for more than a hundred years of publication, I'm sure their use is much, much older.

In all likelihood, the cost of "supplementing" their feed to increase crude protein will exceed the cost of simply buying superior feed. Something to consider when discussing w/ your parents.

and great link from @Perris - particularly if they are rescues, I'd be looking not only at feed but also signs of illness, injury, infestation (mites) in the birds being most targeted. Sadly, rescues quality of life is not good pre-rescue, and those stresses make them prone to a host of maladies.

 

[Shadrach]

I fed the Ex Battery hens I looked after tinned mackerel to give them a protein boost and help them while their feathers grew out again.
Unfortunately the feather picking can be habitual and even when the feed s adequate one still has to keep an eye on the problem.

 

[Kakapothechicken]

Pea protein should be safe - dried peas are frequently used in feed recipes, and have been for more than a hundred years of publication, I'm sure their use is much, much older.

In all likelihood, the cost of "supplementing" their feed to increase crude protein will exceed the cost of simply buying superior feed. Something to consider when discussing w/ your parents.

and great link from @Perris - particularly if they are rescues, I'd be looking not only at feed but also signs of illness, injury, infestation (mites) in the birds being most targeted. Sadly, rescues quality of life is not good pre-rescue, and those stresses make them prone to a host of maladies.

The difficulty with changing feed is that where we live is fairly remote. A big farm about 15 minutes away sells the bags so it’s easy to buy the mash in bulk. Otherwise, it would be significantly more expensive and require a much longer journey to get the feed.

They are ridiculously friendly so quite easy to check over. Three have the respiratory infection (two have been treated, one of which has improved, the third has only shown symptoms in the last few days). No signs of mites at all, though I strongly suspect they have worms.

I will start by giving them a tiny quantity of the pea protein to make sure it doesn’t have a negative effect. It is 100% pure pea protein isolate (no sweeteners or flavours) intended for humans, but just the smell makes me gag!

 

[Kakapothechicken]

I fed the Ex Battery hens I looked after tinned mackerel to give them a protein boost and help them while their feathers grew out again.
Unfortunately the feather picking can be habitual and even when the feed s adequate one still has to keep an eye on the problem.
View attachment 4240503

That’s an interesting idea. I wonder whether high quality fish wet cat food would work and possibly be cheaper than human grade stuff. I will have a look. I did consider feeding them their eggs but I have had terrible experiences in the past of a whole flock turning into egg devouring monsters.

 

[Kakapothechicken]

you might find this useful
https://lhwf.co.uk/resources/defra-feather-pecking-guide/

That link isn’t working for me. What can I search for to find the page another way?

 

[Perris]

That link isn’t working for me. What can I search for to find the page another way?

try this
https://assets.publishing.service.g...07d35b8096/pb10596-feather-pecking-050309.pdf