New Member

[Kiki]

The concrete pad pen is



It's 74" long, 60" wide, 72 1/2" tall. 5 nesting boxes, 2 rows of roosting boards.

It is bigger than it looked.
That should be ok for 7 birds, if they just sleep in it.

 

[rking]

Space could be an issue, many of these problems start out as boredom. Even stress can start them in on these habits.

24% protein is a bit high for standard layers. If they don't like the feed, they may not eat enough of it making them develop dietary deficiencies. Layers only need between 15%and 17% protein in their diet. I would skip the mealworms on such a high protein diet.

Greens are great to feed. Lots of trace minerals they dont otherwise get in their feed. Helps with boredom if you hang cabbages or put leafy greens in a suet cage to pick at all day. Alfalfa is also wonderful to free feed.

I did the higher protien feed to see if they would stop eating each others feathers (feathers are high in protein). Since that's not working, do you think I should switch back to the lower portion feed?

 

[rking]

What a cute coop!! I love the sign with their names on it!! Very crafty!

Thanks!

 

[TwoCrows]

I did the higher protien feed to see if they would stop eating each others feathers (feathers are high in protein). Since that's not working, do you think I should switch back to the lower portion feed?

Yes. I would get the protein down. This picking has probably become a bad habit now. You need to keep them as busy as possible to distract them. Ladders, levels, mirrors, hanging veggies, free range time, just things to get them out of this habit.

 

[drumstick diva]

You could also hang a parrot toy or two to amuse them.

 

[ValerieJ]

View attachment 2031584View attachment 2031585View attachment 2031587

Great spaces!

 

[rking]

Yes. I would get the protein down. This picking has probably become a bad habit now. You need to keep them as busy as possible to distract them. Ladders, levels, mirrors, hanging veggies, free range time, just things to get them out of this habit.

Okay.
Thanks!!

 

[rking]

You could also hang a parrot toy or two to amuse them.

Great Idea!
Thanks

 

[HomesteaderWife]

@rking - Sorry for the late welcome, but we are glad to have you here at BYC!

Hopefully you've been provided with some great advice that may help you identify potential causes and solutions to the issue of these picking issues. Also, yes please do use caution with predators- get yourself a game camera facing your coop in sort of a wide view to help identify potential predators lurking around the flock looking for opportunity.

 

[rking]

@rking - Sorry for the late welcome, but we are glad to have you here at BYC!

Hopefully you've been provided with some great advice that may help you identify potential causes and solutions to the issue of these picking issues. Also, yes please do use caution with predators- get yourself a game camera facing your coop in sort of a wide view to help identify potential predators lurking around the flock looking for opportunity.

View attachment 2033741​

Thank you. Yes, I have two cameras on my babies.