Feather Picking: HELP!! Getting worse!

[Wolfwoman]

I don't use pellets, only crumbles... maybe I need to get a bag of pellets..lol

 

[bonder]

I'm rather new to chickens but I did read a post on here earlier today about flock blocks. Maybe if your chicken(s) had something more to keep them busy, they might not pick so much?

Just a thought...

 

[Wolfwoman]

It's a thought, don't know if they are carried up here, I'll have to check!

 

[nnbreeder]

With the Oriental Games that we raise this is very common behavior. Our roosters almost look like our NNs most of the time!

 

[fluffychickens]

I heard that if you put a CD or a mirror that would not shatter if a chicken pecked it the chicken might peck that instead.

 

[geebs]

Feed black oil sunflower seeds.

 

[CorporateGranola]

I'm having a similar problem with my 8wk old White Crested Black Polish. She is the only one of nine 8wk old girls to get picked on, and is almost 50% bald now. The first time we noticed the pecked area, we applied blu-kote and the behavior seemed to stop. This time, the area was much larger, and after applying blu-kote everyone immediately started pecking her. I've separated the Polish temporarily, but I don't know what else to do... I'm frustrated and really worried about my girl.

@geebs, why black sunflower seed? to prevent boredom, or is there something else?

-=cg=-

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Adding more protein will only really help if your birds are craving protein. Most likely, however, they are doing this out of bordem and habit. Your best chance is to cull the peckers or separate them. Prune the dying plant and save what can be managed, then let it grow again. I've dealt with this all before. I know how frustrating it can be.

Sunflower seeds have lots of protein. For a flock that is experiencing deprivation, it's a perfect treat and will usually halt pecking, because sometimes pecking occurs from lack of protein that the birds want. (Blood and feathers contain protein.)

 

[Wolfwoman]

It's hard to cull/separate when you don't know who it is!!

I'll be going into town soon to get BOSS and other treats to help.

 

[CarolAnn]

A little over a week ago I switched from crumbles to pellets because I heard there'd be less waste. My flock don't seen to be taking to the pellets like I expected. I've watched some of them pecking away at them and scratching the side of the hanging feeder trough like they expect that to free up some feed. They're also scratching the floor like they do outside for the same reason. They look very frustrated when doing this. I'm thinking about getting crumbles again to cut the pellets for this second 25# and staying with the crumbles. I've been noticing a few of my girls with less tail feathers too, but not 100% sure if they're missing or new ones sprouting because they're my late bloomers. I also think I have too many chickens for my coop. Tonight I put up an additional roost so they'll be less crowded, and I'll just be watching them. I may have to find new homes for some. My cochin roo will be the first to go as I think he and my big blk autralorp roo are one too many roos at my house. I suspect the little guy is trying to compensate for being a shrimp. Little man syndrome??