Feather Pulling....Eating Feathers...Any advice? Any Ideas?

[Egg Rookie 2010]

Well Matilda drew a drop of blood on poor Olivia. Her feathers are nearly gone all around the tail. So I ran in to make an apron right quick because I cant wait for those peeper keeper things in the mail and dont have a place to separate Olivia. Blue Kote and this apron (which she is NOT thrilled about) and out she went. Matilda was on her right away and got a beak foll of fabric. She looked really confused and tried again and I swear had a "WHAT THE @*#!?!" expression and for the 15 minutes I was out there just left Olivia alone!

I made it with a ruffle for the tail because that is the problem area...and it is too cute too. Husband is golfing and will laugh his butt off at crazy me when he gets home Im sure! I may have to make some adjustments as she wears it Ill be able to tell better if it fits right.

 

[firstimechickenowner]

Hi egg rookie,

You must be a master on the sewing machine... I love the apron you made.. Seems to be the perfect solution.. Is this what the saddles that others are talking about look like?? I would never have imagined a chicken wearing clothes.. It's awesome...

 

[Egg Rookie 2010]

Well the other aprons/saddles you see are much smaller-mostly to protect the girls from a rooster whose style could use some improvement! (his claws pull out the back feathers) But my poor girl is pecked to the point of misery. Husband WAS hysterical when he got home...I run a little business called "Tombstone Eggery & Aprons" but my aprons are for human types...never before a chicken. So it looks like I have a new mascot!

 

[firstimechickenowner]

I think you may be onto something here... I'm sure you could add the chicken aprons to your repertoire and they would sell..

 

[salamanda]

I would LOVE one of those aprons! Anyone know where I can get one? My Buff Orpington is pulling feathers out of my Marans. She started this a few days ago and I'm trying to figure out what to do. Going to try all the things I've seen here. Protein, address any boredom . . . now an apron! She looks so good in that!

 

[kari_dawn]

I read through your post, and it is some really great info. But one thing I didn't see mentioned was black oil sunflower seeds. I have heard they are a FANTASTIC addition to their ration, especially for feather picking. I have added them to my girl's rations, and they LOVE them. Just thought I would mention it

 

[Egg Rookie 2010]

Thanks Salamanda....I changed that apron up a bit...I pulled the "tail" off, made it actually CUP around that real tail like a half cone shape, so it will stay in place. I have never seen an apron like this I just made it out of some scrap fabric I had laying around.
@kari_dawn Yes I have really increased the protein but to no avail. I have more than one culprit now and I DO think it must be the diet. They have been eating CHICK crumbles for 2 months now because of the babies that shouldnt eat layer ration. The eggs are fine and strong but the feather condition and feather mischief - no indication of disease or pest lead me to believe it is diet. There will be several girls in aprons later today!