My babies

[dhendriksma]

I am new at chicken raising. I have had them for 10 months. I call them my babies, they come running to the fence for treats, leftovers or scraps. I have 10 hens and one rooster. I have noticed this week that a couple of chickens have some feathers plucked out. How can I stop this? I just put black sunflower seeds in there to see if this helps.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

If they aren't receiving a commercial feed you might consider giving them more protein. Oftentimes when they are craving protein they pluck feathers. Black oil sun. seeds are 16% protein, as is layer feed.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings and

! Great to have you with us! Have you noticed how the other birds treat the pecked ones? Do they seem aggressive toward them. Might be pecking order squabbles. Chickens also feather peck out of boredom sometimes. Also, do they have enough space in the coop - too confined means stress. Monitor closely - if the draw blood you will have to isolate the ones getting pecked. Good luck to you!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Feather picking, plucking may be dietary or more likely boredom generated. Increasing protein levels should cover the dietary aspect. Flock blocks, increased free range time or space allowances may address the boredom issue. If you can determine the major culprits (generally those hens in the flock that appear 'perfect') the application of Pinless Peepers can stop this bad habit.

 

[dhendriksma]

They have organic feed from a mill available all the time. They were locked a a bigger pen for 6 days because the temperature was 20% down to -5

 

[liz9910]

from California!

 

[roostersandhens]

give them lots of protein! good luck! and welcome

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Best of luck with the feather pecking problem!

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[Dnetschke]

Welcome From Cold Colorado