Is feather eating Cannibalism?

[giad]

Hello. I am brand new to this. We just got our first chicks on Sunday. 5 Black Australorp and 4 Rhode Island Red. They were pretty well feather plucked at the farm store and I thought it was because there were so many chicks in the tubs they were kept in. I figured with more space they would stop picking eachothers feathers. We're keeping them in the kid's old playhouse, which is about 5'x7'. Right now they have a few low perches and some straw. They seem pretty comfortable. I bought the same feed they were getting at the store and they are all eatting well.
This is the lable from the bag




Today I noticed that 2 of the more dominent birds are constantly picking the feathers off of 3 of the birds backs. The 3 birds are now bleeding on their backs and the other birds keep picking at them. I seperated the injured in a little pen temporarily, and I'm going out to get another water jug and feeder, but the more I read about feather picking the more freaked out I get. Everything I read says this behavior eventualy leads to cannibalism. Is this normal pecking order behavior?
Also, this may seem stupid, but do I need to treat these wounds with antiseptic? It's hard to tell in the picture, but they are raw and bleeding.
Thanks for any help or advice!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It wouldn't hurt to put some iodine on the wounds.
How old are they?
A little protein boost would be something I would try. Feathers are 92% protein. And yes, it can lead to cannibalism. I had a big issue with it one year.

 

[giad]

I really don't know how old they are. I think about 4 weeks, maybe some are older. The girl at the farm store said wait 4 weeks before letting them outside. I didn't think to ask how many weeks they are. I moved the 3 pickers to a pen and they're torturing the big one. The others are now peaceful. It's still disturbing to watch them pick at the big brown one, who was originally the worst picker. What should I do to boost their protein? I tried dried cat food and they won't eat it. I just mixed some in with their feed. They don't seem interested. Can you please tell me the outcome when you had an issue with it? Were you able to resolve it? Thanks

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It sounds like it's become a habit to them, I would spray the wounds with bluekote, which tastes horrible, and give them lots to do to hopefully make them forget about it, getting them outside scratching and pecking to burn off energy, I would get them some grass clipping to work at if you can't get them outside, and toss them some things like tomatoes, watermelon, lettuce, anything to distract them, and perhaps separating the worst offenders, for a while to mix up the pecking order not something I would want to deal with, though I did one year when I didn't get them enough room and things to do as the grew, chickens can be nasty, good luck.

 

[Grandmas Coop]

I have feather pickers~ I have sprained blue Kote- I have put Neosporin on their dry backs~ I have cought one hen that's not missing any feathers pinning another hen and picking feathers~~~ I have bought flock raiser ( it has higher protein) I give them greens ~~~

I don't know what to do for them?????????????

 

[aart]

I really don't know how old they are. I think about 4 weeks, maybe some are older. The girl at the farm store said wait 4 weeks before letting them outside. I didn't think to ask how many weeks they are. I moved the 3 pickers to a pen and they're torturing the big one. The others are now peaceful. It's still disturbing to watch them pick at the big brown one, who was originally the worst picker. What should I do to boost their protein? I tried dried cat food and they won't eat it. I just mixed some in with their feed. They don't seem interested. Can you please tell me the outcome when you had an issue with it? Were you able to resolve it? Thanks

Blukote could help...it covers the blood, is antiseptic, but sometimes attracts attention too and the bird it's on will preen it off just making the wound worse.
They do look about 4-6 weeks, from what I can see.

I would set up a secure wire meshed run for them to have some outside time too.
Use a wire cage(s) to separate if necessary, but keep them in sight of each other and mix them up.
Cook them up some scrambled eggs for a protein boost.

Sounds like they are in the habit of picking and it will take some time to get comfortable in their new home.

 

[giad]

Thanks for your help. I'll follow this advice. Hopefully they will outgrow it and forget about how tasty feathers are. I'll certainly do everything I can to stop it.