Feather picking/eating.

[ChikaInu]

So, I have been taking them out for supervised free range visits a couple of times a day, also rearranging the enclosure every day, varying the food including anything exciting I can possibly think of (spotty quail eggs, live crickets, rotten tree stumps full of grubs) and... knock on wood, it has not escalated.
They are truly enjoying their outings!

 

[ChikaInu]

 

[ChikaInu]

I really wish they could go free range. Such happy chicks! Now I feel like a complete asshole.

 

[ChikaInu]

First day they looked like this and I was in absolute tears:

 

[ChikaInu]

This is the same bird the day before.
I really don't know what posessed them to suddenly start ripping at each other, but it seems to have stilled. I've had no more blood or dramatic raw skin... so I will continue with just trying to keep them very busy.

 

[ChikaInu]

More supervised outdoor time today and I've hardly seen Any interest in feathers at all. My heart, I'm so happy! What is left of their tails is growing like mad too.
I did spray the worst one with purple spray because that is the only one the others seem interested in since his bum was quite red/orange. Hopefully that works and all ends well.
I also have a random racing pigeon that has been with us for the last week or so. He likes the pheasants - they are not so keen. Everyone meet Dave.

 

[SilverBirds]

More supervised outdoor time today and I've hardly seen Any interest in feathers at all. My heart, I'm so happy! What is left of their tails is growing like mad too.
I did spray the worst one with purple spray because that is the only one the others seem interested in since his bum was quite red/orange. Hopefully that works and all ends well.
I also have a random racing pigeon that has been with us for the last week or so. He likes the pheasants - they are not so keen. Everyone meet Dave.
View attachment 3908547

Glad that their behavior is improving!

 

[ChikaInu]

Glad that their behavior is improving!

Thank you, I really thought it was just going to get worse and that I was going to see some terrible developement. Now I feel like it will pass, and that I can manage until the aviary is finished. Fingers crossed!