Hens picking at sickel feathers

[Erba]

I'd like to know if this is a sign of endearment or a bad habit they are developing. There are two hens in particular that do it on the sly, and he doesn't seem to mind all that much, but he is starting to get fluffy ended sickel feathers.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

At least the two hens who are most into feather picking are suffering from a protein deficiency. You have not posted your chickens diet but the odds are a SAWBUCK (X) to a $ that it is protein defencent. Imediently cut out all fruit, treat, greens, etc and feed only an 18% protein all flock ration.

As an alternative instead of immediately replacing your laying feed give each and every hen about a teaspoon to a tablespoonful of good meat based dog food per day. This is of the utmost importance with the annual molt just around the corner.

PS: the metric teaspoon is for our purposes the same as a US or Imperial teaspoon.
https://www.metric-conversions.org/volume/us-teaspoons-to-metric-teaspoons.htm

 

[Erba]

My hens are not really into greens, except for carrot top leaves, which they seem to like. I have been giving them mealworms this past week and I didn't see them do it today. I will keep an eye on them though. If it doesn't stop I'll try the dog food.

When my dog sees me feeding them his food, he's gonna go loopy...