help!! my chicks are eating there feathers

[nefty]

What can i do if my 3 weeks old chicks are eating there feathers please help me

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Are they eating feathers that have already fallen out, or are they plucking and eating them? If they're eating already dropped feathers, thats very normal. If they're plucking, theres a problem somewhere.

 

[red horse ranch]

What can i do if my 3 weeks old chicks are eating there feathers please help me

Are you sure they are eating the feathers or just grooming themselves? New feathers start out in a sheath made of protein and chickens will chew on the sheath to release the feather as it grows. The feathers are made of protein too and all chickens will eat loose small feathers and down.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

If they are pulling feathers out of each other, I had luck coating the picked areas witk Vicks Salve at that age. Good luck.

 

[nefty]

they are eating the feathers from there backs and one has a little bit of the wing plucked out and have blood where they were plucked

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Are you saying that the chicks are each pulling out their own feathers or that they are picking out the feathers of other chicks? If it's the latter, have you identified the main culprit(s)? A lot of times this behavior develops in over-crowded situations or, at the very least, is exacerbated by over-crowded conditions - so are you sure that you have provided ample living space for each chick?

 

[nefty]

what could be a good living space for 7 chicks 3 weeks old

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Meaties or layers?

 

[nefty]

these are my chicks

 

[acooke]

If one is insured separate until the injury has healed. The other chick's will peck at injured chicks. Get them all into a bigger space.