Feather plucking meany

[CandylandRanch]

So this Is Joan rivers. And she had plucked every saddle feather out of one of my Orpingtons, has started on another, and now is plucking the neck feathers out of my favorite chicken! Do I attempt to retrain her? Or do I invite her to dinner? I have never killed one of my babies before.. But I can't have her hurting everyone else..

 

[SIMZ]

She's awfully cute to be so mean. Maybe try adding something they can peck instead - like a flock block or something? I've read not enough protein in their diet can cause that? Hopefully, someone has some ideas that might help.

Unfortunately, I have one in my flock that is doing that to my roosters. I feed quality feed and they have tons of room - free ranging even. When I catch the chicken doing it she'll be dinner...unfortunately.

 

[CandylandRanch]

She's awfully cute to be so mean.  Maybe try adding something they can peck instead - like a flock block or something?  I've read not enough protein in their diet can cause that?  Hopefully, someone has some ideas that might help. 

Unfortunately, I have one in my flock that is doing that to my roosters.  I feed quality feed and they have tons of room - free ranging even.  When I catch the chicken doing it she'll be dinner...unfortunately. 

I really appreciate your advice. And same for my flock, they have more than enough room, they get 1-7 hours of free ranging per day.. I feel horrible for the other girls most of all! How can I leave them with her doing that my mother in law started butchering chickens at the age of 5 while living in the forest during the war in Germany.. Maybe I should enlist her help..

 

[shorttimer]

I read, on another thread, that Pinless Peepers works well for this sort of thing. I'm having the same problem and I'd rather not have to kill one of my chickens to get her to stop unless it was the LAST resort. I found them on ebay today, pretty cheap, and when they're installed I'll re-introduce the offenders back into the flock. I'm hoping it works well.

 

[SIMZ]

The feather picking behavior can escalate to wounds - especially if they're picking to the point of getting to skin. Pinless Peepers might be something I look into! Thanks, shorttimer! Beak trimming might help, too? It just may be something that has to be done periodically since it will grow back.

 

[lfc27]

Ha! I am facing this conundrum at the moment too...ours is called Ruthie. My husband thinks I jinxed her naming her for my grouchy mean grandmother. Though I think if it comes to that I will use the original Ruthie's chicken soup recipe so that the circle completes itself. Good luck!