Feather picking

[Carol elam]

Why are my silkies picking at each other’s feet featheres till they bleed.?

 

[sourland]

How old are they, how many do you have, what are you feeding, and how much space do they have?

 

[TwoCrows]

Once they learn this habit, it's a tough one to break. Feathers are especially sought after once they learn they can be plucked. My flock started picking each others toe scales off years ago. I am not sure how it started, I think they got a taste for scales, but it eventually developed into bloody toe picking. I tried all the stop picks, bluekote, even tar. I found the only thing that stopped them was I had to wrap vet tape around everyone's feet and toes. I kept them in wraps for about 2 weeks at which they forgot all about it and finally stopped. Horrible habit to break once they start.

Definitely make sure they are not crowded, bored and they burn calories out free ranging too so they have things to preoccupy themselves. Good luck!