/ Register


  1. Come check out hundreds of awesome coop pages (and a few that need suggestions) in our 2018 Coop Rating Project!

Greasing up your flock!

Discussion in 'Feeding & Watering Your Flock' started by Bigfatchicken, Sep 11, 2010.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Sep 11, 2010 #1
    Bigfatchicken

    Bigfatchicken In the Brooder

    68
    0
    39
    Dec 9, 2009
    sarasota, Florida
    I was recently told by a friend since my roosters are getting a little too rough with my hens and there plucking off their back feathers. That I should give them bacon grease in their water because there missing some type of mineral and that’s causing them to do this. Is this true or is my friend pulling my feathers lol. I’m just nervous that one day I might come out to my hens and see a naked chicken running around and how can I promote feather growth and how long does it take to grow back?

    Thanks for the help much appreciated.
     

  4. Sep 11, 2010 #2
    chicmom

    chicmom Dances with Chickens

    8,696
    241
    316
    Feb 24, 2009
    Strasburg Ohio
    Nope, I don't think that's true.....Your rooster is just really mating very roughly with the hens. It's pretty normal for a rooster to jump on a hen's back, and they usually hold on the the neck feathers to keep her still while mating. Some roosters are just brutal though. Get rid of the rooster, and the hen's will grow back their feathers. You could always get another rooster, that might be kinder. Also, what is your rooster to hen ratio? If you just have a few hens, they may be over-mated.

    If the entire feather is pulled out, another one will grow in it's place. Since feathers are made up mainly of protein, then it's great if you can give your hens some extra protein in their diet. You could feed them some chick grower, which can have 20 to 24% protein, and just make sure you supply the oyster shell.

    Hope this helps!
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by