How itchy are those pesky pin feathers?

[Sallyschickens]

My chicks were born May 22 (about 10 weeks old) have all started to peck at themselves right after I clipped their one wing for the first time.

I keep DE in all of their dusting areas, and I dusted them again as soon as I noticed them pecking themselves.

I upped their calcium intake with more yogurt and o. shells.

I also upped their protein intake.

Three days later and they are still itching, kind of like glorified grooming in a way.

I looked for mites or fungus and nothing was apparent.

I did notice a ton of baby pin feathers emerging in the spots where they focused their "pecking and grooming".


I'm a bit of in a panic now b/c I have homes waiting for most of them.

So, just how itchy are those emerging pin feathers?

 

[Sallyschickens]

I need to add that they are all served cayenne pepper, ACV and raw pumpkin seeds on a regular basis.

If it is due to low protein, how long until I will see results after I up their protein?

 

[Dana]

What do you mean by "pecking themselves"? Are they pulling feathers out? They might just be preening, which is normal behavior and would make sense if a lot of new feathers are growing. When they preen, they're using their beak to remove the casing that covers feathers when they first grow in.

They probably don't need more protein unless you notice that the feathers are not growing, or growing very slowly.

 

[Sallyschickens]

Quote:
Yes, they look more like they are preening as they aren't pulling their feathers out, just lightly pecking and some nuzzling around their tail's oil gland. (They are not doing this to each other.)


Your description of "preening" makes total sense. Thanks!