New to keeping chickens. cooking.

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sourland said:
Hello, and welcome to BYC. Not enough space/boredom and protein deficiency can lead to feather pecking/plucking. Generally the most perfect looking birds in the flock are the culprits. By providing more space, affixing Pin Less Peepers the habit can sometimes be broken. After they regrow feathers, it may be possible to remove the blinders. Good luck with resolving this problem.
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Thanks for info, I have done everything but the blinders and boredom! I'm putting on blinders later today. How do they get on roosting with them on? Also how can I stop boredom?
 
rjohns39 said:
Hi and welcome to BYC :frow We're so happy you've decided to join us :ya

Go easy on the treats and make sure to use high protein treats to avoid diluting their overall protein intake.
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Being new to keeping chickens I was spoiling them, so maybe my fault. I now feed household scraps and green stuff from garden with lots of herbs in the morning and they have a layers mix, I add grit. They have apple cider vinegar in water. Think it was cheaper to buy eggs! (Joke) I love keeping them now but they are a worry.
 
Beaky bird said:
Being new to keeping chickens I was spoiling them, so maybe my fault. I now feed household scraps and green stuff from garden with lots of herbs in the morning and they have a layers mix, I add grit. They have apple cider vinegar in water. Think it was cheaper to buy eggs! (Joke) I love keeping them now but they are a worry.
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Offer the grit on the side, not mixed in with food. They'll take it as they need it. Same for oyster shell once they are laying. Also keep in mind that treats should not exceed 10% of total diet.
 
rjohns39 said:
Offer the grit on the side, not mixed in with food. They'll take it as they need it. Same for oyster shell once they are laying. Also keep in mind that treats should not exceed 10% of total diet.
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I have been giving grit on the side as well. Do you recommend feeding their shells baked first then crushed? As with treats, I like interacting with them and its nice when they 'seem' pleased to greet you.
 
Beaky bird said:
I have been giving grit on the side as well. Do you recommend feeding their shells baked first then crushed? As with treats, I like interacting with them and its nice when they 'seem' pleased to greet you.
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A lot of folks provide shells back to them and prepare them in lots of different ways. Just provide them on the side as you would oyster shell. Shells don't count as treats as they are for supplemental calcium.

When I fill my feeders, the girls are a riot. The food must be better from the bucket, as I'll always have at least two jump in. :gig
 
rjohns39 said:
A lot of folks provide shells back to them and prepare them in lots of different ways. Just provide them on the side as you would oyster shell. Shells don't count as treats as they are for supplemental calcium.

When I fill my feeders, the girls are a riot. The food must be better from the bucket, as I'll always have at least two jump in. :gig
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Do you feed treats? How can you help with boredom?
 
Beaky bird said:
Do you feed treats? How can you help with boredom?
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Rarely, but I like to give them watermelon in the heat of the summer and meal worms from time to time. I've suspended a head of lettuce or cabbage from a chain to entertain them. That's always fun to watch.
 

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