is this normal and why

[silkieowner]

Hi is it normal for chickens to always peck the other chickens comb when working out a pecking order? if so why do they go for the comb?
Also is it normal for them to pull out feathers when working out a pecking order? If so is it normal for them to then eat the pulled out feather?

 

[Tala]

Quote:
I'd say going for the comb is pretty normal, and occasionally feathers get picked,
Pecking and picking feathers can also be a sign that your birds are overcrowded and bored out of their minds,
However feather EATING is a sign of protein deficiency.

Sometimes you can solve feather eating problems by reducing the amount of treats (scratch, etc) and using a higher protein feed (such as gamebird feed)

 

[silkieowner]

there getting feed this pellet http://www.lauckemills.com.au/poultryfood1.html and there also feed http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.agriproducts.com.au/verve/_resources/p12-poultry-tables.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.agriproducts.com.au/agri/poultry_grain_mix_2008.html&usg=__OtCW1Vh6hWEekX-WLohGojT0kJM=&h=457&w=400&sz=41&hl=en&start=7&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=t3k_rdEJJzp_5M:&tbnh=128&tbnw=112&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpoultry%2Bgrain%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26tbs%3Disch:1

I also gave them the 20kg bag of vetafarm south american mix pellets as my parrots wouldn't eat it http://www.vetafarm.com.au/products/SOUTH-AMERICAN-MIX-2Kg.html ingredients etc all in the links. They get a mixture of all 3 feeds each day. They also get scraps eg bread,potatoe peelings,carrot peelings,pumpkin peelings etc what ever they can eat.

 

[Tala]

They probably aren't getting enough protein.

Your pellet feed is 15% which is the bare minimum IMO, and then the other feed is only 10% I think it is equivilent to "scratch grains" so if you mix it half and half your protein is actually only 12%.

The third food you listed looks like good pet food, and it is 17% protein which is nice. I understood that this is a temporary thing, they haven't been on this feed long because it's just "leftover" from another pet?

Adding all the table scraps especially bread will further reduce their protein intake.

I feed my chickens 20% protein feed, especially because I raise mainly heavier breeds (dual purpose breeds). I think it's better for them to get a little extra than not enough, but I know that others do disagree. Eggs are mainly made up of protein so having at least 16% is important for egg production, and then there is always their day to day needs for their bodies besides just what they put into the eggs. I do know that if they are eating feathers it is because they are not getting enough protein so I would definitely get something like 18% grower feed, or 20% gamebird feed, and stop feeding the second feed that you listed.