In need of some advice. Feather picking and laziness.

[LaFleche]

Open those windows up again. Chickens do not have any problems with cold air as long as there is no draft and your little coop has ventilation only on the door side, so not to worry.

You can leave the broccoli for two days, carrots too. They will probably have it munched up by then anyway.

 

[Arne]

Will do that. Thank you.

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

Will do that. Thank you.

Something else I forgot to ask, is do they have access to grit? You can also provide them calcium with oyster shells. I give mine all our veggie scraps that are safe for chickens to eat, from strawberry tops to carrot peels, mine love a fresh zucchini even from the garden. Lol

 

[Acre4Me]

We bought them when there were around the 12 weeks old. They do get a lot of attention indeed. Specially with the Corona situation we are all home or working form home.

They are not panting or warm. We are feeding them a small hand of meal worms for 4 hens a day. Unless this isn't enough, they do get protein. Their basic food is layer food, and on top of that they get some mixed grains and corn.

We occasionally also give them fresh green leftovers after cooking diner, like carrots and lettuce.

feather picking can be due to boredom or need for protein. They are not crowded and have outdoor access, so I’d guess possible protein deficiency could be contributing. Layer feed has just enough protein, although some breeds do better with slightly higher protein. However, you are diluting the protein in the layer feed with scratch and veg. Mealworms have protein, but are also high in fat. Apparently too many mealworms frequently can cause fatty liver disease, but not sure what “too many” is per bird. Since feathers are protein, then they will eat feathers for the protein if they need it. Also, we’ve noticed that if a chicken is getting in pFeathers, that attracts the attention of some of the birds, and they will pick at the new feathers out of curiosity.

Laying around: typically happens more in hot weather. Their feed consumption goes down in hotter weather and goes up in colder weather. You can put out some frozen ice blocks in a pan or tray so they can drink the cool melted water and stand on/ in the ice if they want a cool down. Some people freeze water in recycled large soda containers so the chickens can lay next to them.

 

[Arne]

Something else I forgot to ask, is do they have access to grit? You can also provide them calcium with oyster shells. I give mine all our veggie scraps that are safe for chickens to eat, from strawberry tops to carrot peels, mine love a fresh zucchini even from the garden. Lol

Yes, they do have access to a bowl of grit. As far as I know they have everything they need. I've bin reading around. And it more and more looks like the one chicken that is picking is just being a bully.

Thank you for the suggestion!

feather picking can be due to boredom or need for protein. They are not crowded and have outdoor access, so I’d guess possible protein deficiency could be contributing. Layer feed has just enough protein, although some breeds do better with slightly higher protein. However, you are diluting the protein in the layer feed with scratch and veg. Mealworms have protein, but are also high in fat. Apparently too many mealworms frequently can cause fatty liver disease, but not sure what “too many” is per bird. Since feathers are protein, then they will eat feathers for the protein if they need it. Also, we’ve noticed that if a chicken is getting in pFeathers, that attracts the attention of some of the birds, and they will pick at the new feathers out of curiosity.

Laying around: typically happens more in hot weather. Their feed consumption goes down in hotter weather and goes up in colder weather. You can put out some frozen ice blocks in a pan or tray so they can drink the cool melted water and stand on/ in the ice if they want a cool down. Some people freeze water in recycled large soda containers so the chickens can lay next to them.

For a moment i feared boredom was the cause because the run is a bit basic. The plants in the run are new, and still inaccessible for the chickens because they are not strong enough to survive those little dinosaurs yet. And besides the other 3 chickens are not picking.

A shortage of protein is more likely yes, or indeed the curiosity. Though I doubt they will eat them out of curiosity as well.. ?

Some good ideas thank you. The one picking indeed had an empty corp. We might getting somewhere now.

Any idea how long it will take that a shortage of protein will go away after I make sure they eat enough?

 

[Acre4Me]

You can boost protein with meat (canned or home cooked) - just watch the salt. Fish flake food and Dry cat food are also protein boosts as an additive. Cooked Scrambled eggs (including the shell, if you want) Can also be a protein boost. I’ll give my flock a “treat” of wet feed. I add water to a batter consistency and add in whatever I might want (seeds or scrambled eggs 9or leftover meat, as examples), and they gobble it up like it super special. I do feed a 20% Protein all-flock feed and supplement oyster shell on the side, so extra treats are not diluting the protein they need.

good luck getting your flock back to good behavior!

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

You can boost protein with meat (canned or home cooked) - just watch the salt. Fish flake food and Dry cat food are also protein boosts as an additive. Cooked Scrambled eggs (including the shell, if you want) Can also be a protein boost. I’ll give my flock a “treat” of wet feed. I add water to a batter consistency and add in whatever I might want (seeds or scrambled eggs 9or leftover meat, as examples), and they gobble it up like it super special. I do feed a 20% Protein all-flock feed and supplement oyster shell on the side, so extra treats are not diluting the protein they need.

good luck getting your flock back to good behavior!

Please only use cat food in an emergency food type of situation, it contains chemicals in it for cats, like taurine for hairballs, as an example. Plus other vitamins that are too strong for chickens.

 

[Acre4Me]

Please only use cat food in an emergency food type of situation, it contains chemicals in it for cats, like taurine for hairballs, as an example. Plus other vitamins that are too strong for chickens.

I’m not recommending cat food as a replacement, nearly a supplement as an option. Some cat foods are just basic and not treating things like “hair balls”. It is ok to use in limited situations. I’ve used cat food before and not seen any ill effects in the birds, but it was applied as a supplement.

taurine is a naturally occurring organic “chemical” widely found in animal tissue. Aka an amino acid!

 

[Arne]

Another question.

Is it possible that the chickens don't like, or maybe have some trouble getting used to, to the new coop i've made?

I was thinking it might be to dark inside during day since the coop itself is located in the garage. And the garage is already a dark place on it self. I could make a LED nightlight inside the coop if that is the case.

(BTW, i've opened up the windows again today. )

 

[Acre4Me]

Yes, a light in the coop can be helpful. Chickens don’t like entering dark spaces.

we have light in our coop and it runs off a timer, so it’s always on and off without us having to be there.