Feather pecking. Please help!

[And now we have chickens]

We have 4 Easter Eggers, all girls. One girl has been pecking at mainly just one other girl (the other two are smart enough to keep distance). We have separated the bully into her own blocked off section of the run with her own temporary coop for 5 days, then we put them all together yesterday…more pecking, back to chicken jail. However I noticed this evening that she is eating her own tail feathers as well. They have 16% feed, oyster shells, grit, snacks… we ordered blinders that will be here tomorrow, but now I’m concerned with the fact that she’s eating her own feathers. This all began when it started getting cold. What else can I try? Does the bully need something extra for her diet? Supplements? Longer jail time? The other three girls get along perfectly fine. There are no issues with egg laying that we can really tell, but the bully only lays every other day in the jail, compared to every day in general population. Can someone please give me some ideas/insight. We want our girls happy healthy and thriving.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Maybe some extra protein if she's eating feathers. You can supplement or buy a higher protein feed.

 

[nuthatched]

Get some 18% or 20% protein feed and cut out the snacks. 16% is the absolute minimum amount of protein they need to stay alive and lay eggs, molt not included. They're likely molting and need more protein.

 

[And now we have chickens]

Get some 18% or 20% protein feed and cut out the snacks. 16% is the absolute minimum amount of protein they need to stay alive and lay eggs, molt not included. They're likely molting and need more protein.

They are only 7 months old, would they be molting this young?

 

[Crazy Maizie]

They are only 7 months old, would they be molting this young?

Probably not, but like nuthatched stated 16% is the minimum of protein. If your girl is eating feathers, she needs more. They need it for producing eggs, feathers, etc. She should be laying eggs soon if she's not laying them already.

 

[And now we have chickens]

Probably not, but like nuthatched stated 16% is the minimum of protein. If your girl is eating feathers, she needs more. They need it for producing eggs, feathers, etc. She should be laying eggs soon if she's not laying them already.

She’s been laying the longest

 

[rosemarythyme]

Upping protein might help, also photos or a detailed description of your set up as well. Feather picking can possibly be diet, boredom or stress related.

 

[Perris]

Do not assume she is a bully just because she needs more protein and is sourcing it from feathers - her own, when others' weren't available. Just give her some high and complete protein food - so animal protein, not plant; meat, fish, insect, dairy products - and you will probably find she becomes her sweet self again.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Have you inspected her for mites or lice? That would be my first concern.

Upping protein might help, also photos or a detailed description of your set up as well. Feather picking can possibly be diet, boredom or stress related.

 

[And now we have chickens]

Have you inspected her for mites or lice? That would be my first concern.

No mites or pests.