HELP! I saw my girls eating feathers that had fallen out of each other today! ACK! Is this normal?

[countrycakelady]

We FINALLY got our coop complete this afternoon...as I was putting the girls in....they were checking out the new digs....I saw a couple of them a while later, eating loose feathers that had fallen out of somebody...they were just chowing down! I was horrified!!! Is this normal? I know that they did not pull them out...I have been seeing them lose a feather here and there while in the run.....your advice and help is greatly appreciated!

 

[AmpersatChick]

I'd be interested to know this too. Mine don't do it all the time but I have seen them gobble one down here and there.

 

[my sunwolf]

Feathers are extremely high in protein, so chickens do love to eat them. I see mine eat them all the time, and it never seems to hurt them as they have access to grit. It seems to be normal, as long as they are eating already fallen feathers and not feather picking. I would definitely just make sure to supply grit so they can digest them!

 

[Percheron chick]

I seem to have more of this going on when I give too many vegetables and other kitchen scrap. I just toss out a big handful of cat foot to boost their protein intake. I should just do it every few days in the summer. No harm in eating feathers but they're telling you something's missing.

 

[AmpersatChick]

Interesting!