hens eating feathers

[ChickenKids]

Is it alright for hens to eat their own feathers?

Ours have been doing this for a while and haven't seemed to suffer any ill effects.

Just wondering if anyone has an idea why they do this.

 

[chuckzoo]

Mine will eat an occasional feather, but not all the feathers in the run. Feathers contain mostly protein.

 

[elmo]

That can be a sign that their diet is deficient in protein. The occasional feather is no big deal, but if they're eating a lot of feathers, I'd up the protein in their diet.

 

[twentynine]

They need more protien.

 

[ChickenKids]

thanks everyone.

what's a good way to give them more protein?

 

[chuckzoo]

Meal worms are a great source of protein. You can also offer boiled/scrambled egg if you have some to spare.

Some layer feeds are higher in protein than others, you get a layer feed that is 22% protein, however I would not keep them on that indefinately, just enough to give them a boost. Gamebird feed is also high in protein.