Most docile breed

[Hensndoes]

Thanks, all! Very wise advice. We're going to try some no pick solution and more enrichment. The 4 birds have a 7'x8' henhouse and an 8'x10' run. We're also going to see about fencing another area that is grass where they could "free range" for a bit each day while we supervise them. I would consider confining the 2 that are plucking for a few days if it might help. I'd rather not cull. We're pretty partial to them, even though.

My BCM are very sweet. As many said some breeds are known to be more docile than others but each bird has their own personality.

I think you may want to check your feed protein content. If they are plucking feathers and eating them then they aren't getting enough. I mixed game bird feed into my grower to up the level and all feather picking stopped within a week. I caught it early enough that it wasn't quite a habit yet.

 

[katieuppi]

My BCM are very sweet. As many said some breeds are known to be more docile than others but each bird has their own personality.

I think you may want to check your feed protein content. If they are plucking feathers and eating them then they aren't getting enough. I mixed game bird feed into my grower to up the level and all feather picking stopped within a week. I caught it early enough that it wasn't quite a habit yet.

We did increase the protein to 19% when this first started.

 

[katieuppi]

Well, we added a new outdoor roost, a swing, a log with holes drilled to hide treats, and two hanging baskets for plucking veggies from. They were especially keen on the log and the baskets. I've also let them out in the yard for a bit yesterday and today. I need a chicken herding dog, lol... I also ordered some no pick solution. I hope we can get a handle on this issue. I'm afraid it's too late, but I'm willing to try everything I can.

 

[katieuppi]

 

[Hensndoes]

We did increase the protein to 19% when this first started.

My issue started when the chicks were growing - and they were already getting 20% with no treats that would dilute that. My mixture brought them up to about 24