Hens picking feathers from my Ameracauna's cheeks

[BerkeleyKnitter]

Hi - this is my first flock, we have 5 hens all different breeds. They have a 6x8 foot covered run with coop & nesting boxes and spend most of the day in a large fenced area with plenty to explore. I feed them a layer pellet feed with 17% protein, give them yogurt or dried meal worms every day plus fruits and leafy greens.

My favorite is my Ameracauna, Amanda - she is super sweet and lays a beautiful blue egg almost every day. She had - past tense! - adorable fluffy black cheeks and a beard. But bit by bit those feathers have been pecked off.

I've seen two hens eating the feathers - top 2 in the pecking order - and weirdly, Amanda sits very still and closes her eyes when they do it, almost looks like she enjoys it. It doesn't seem like bullying, but it can't be good for her.

So far no one has drawn blood & they're leaving her other feathers alone. I've tried painting with blue cote & globs of vaseline.

What can I do? Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The same thing happens in my large flock to my salmon faverolle. I don't think you can really stop it. I'm unsure why they do it, but once again my faverolle has no beard after growing it back last fall during the molt.

I have also watched hens doing the same to roosters, all seem to enjoy it, so perhaps it's all a grooming ritual, a way to interact with the bottom bird that is vaguely pleasant, instead of just pecking at them.

As long as you see no blood or anything escalating I would just let it be. Your set up sounds smaller which may contribute, but my set up is large and it still happens.

 

[chickens really]

This could be the issue?..Anything other than the 17% feed is then diluting the actual feed. Pecking and feather eating can become a real habit that can escalate quickly.
If feed isn't balanced then issues can arise. Do they have enough space and things to occupy them?..I give snacks a couple times a week. Not daily..

 

[Cindy in PA]

I never had this problem the first several times I had EEs in a mixed flock, but the last two times, including now, they eat the beards & muffs after a couple months. My three have some muffs now, but no beards. My 13 chickens have a 300 Square foot run & a 64 square foot coop & they still do it. Don't think you can stop it!

 

[andreanar]

Same thing goes on here! My EE's and 2 faverolles have no muffs/beards and mine can free range if they chose to. Ive been feeding Feather Fixer for the last month.

 

[aart]

and weirdly, Amanda sits very still and closes her eyes when they do it, almost looks like she enjoys it.

That's the weirdest part!

Have the same issue here with the EE's...it's kinda funny.
When the beards all grew back over the winter after the molt I had a hard time recognizing them.
It could be an animal protein issue, but I'm not so sure.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Mine do the same it's one EE I found out by noticing she was the only one with her fluff and beard left. So far my SF still have theirs. My EE's are 6 yrs old. SF are under a year. Mine get plenty of protein.

 

[lazy gardener]

In this case, I don't believe it's a protein issue. Chickens are the ultimate prejudiced creatures. They notice the differences. I can almost hear it, "Hey you, chubby cheeks! What's that on your face? Come over here, and let me fix it. Oops, I took off a little bit too much on the right. Turn your head and I'll even it up. Still not even... Back to the right... Hmmm... Tasty..." That they stop with the muffs and beards tells me it's just grooming behavior. And yes, they also groom the roo in similar fashion.

 

[andreanar]

That's the weirdest part!

Yes! It is weird that they seem to enjoy it! Haha I don't enjoy it!

 

[chickens really]

I guess it all boils down to the saying.."Birds of a feather, Flock together "...Reason why Polish and Silkies don't do well with other Birds...