Overbreeding and Feather Picking

[bhaugh]

The one bad thing to plucking is that it's learned pretty quick by birds that may not be original pluckers. I find those being bullied are usually the ones who do the plucking. Quail are horrible.
I've found lowering the numbers per pen and increasing the protein. You really don't care for the Wyandotte so place those and see how just lowering the number of birds you have works.
Mealworms are a liked treat. Try some of those. They help birds feather in faster too.

 

[azygous]

Flock block. Chickens love it. But it's addictive. I suggest keeping it covered except for when the chickens have eaten all their daily feed, and uncover it at a time when they are bored, generally mid afternoon or late afternoon.

 

[azygous]

It does no harm to a cockerel or rooster to segregate them. I routinely do this. The boys are just as content to chat with the girls through a barrier and to girl watch. In summer, the boys spend most of the day outside the run standing on logs watching the girls inside the run. They all get time together later in the day. The girls do not need to be constantly mated.

It's a myth that the males of species are sexually frustrated when denied easy access to females. Yes, even human males, in which case it's an issue of self control.

 

[alexisrambles]

I haven't kept my boys separated for more than a day or two, but I have picked them up after breakfast a few times because they HATE my father. They are pretty loud about their displeasure but I've not noticed any lasting side effects.

 

[Chwicks]

The one bad thing to plucking is that it's learned pretty quick by birds that may not be original pluckers. I find those being bullied are usually the ones who do the plucking. Quail are horrible.
I've found lowering the numbers per pen and increasing the protein. You really don't care for the Wyandotte so place those and see how just lowering the number of birds you have works.
Mealworms are a liked treat. Try some of those. They help birds feather in faster too.

That’s my fear - it’s a learned behavior to some. I’m going to watch them closely tomorrow. Today seemed to go pretty well when I was out there. I was out there for about 6 hours.

A friend of mine has a quail farm and I’ve heard how they are even worse than chickens.

We may have to get rid of our Wyandottes.

We use mealworms as treats. Those suckers are expensive. Lol

 

[Chwicks]

Flock block. Chickens love it. But it's addictive. I suggest keeping it covered except for when the chickens have eaten all their daily feed, and uncover it at a time when they are bored, generally mid afternoon or late afternoon. View attachment 1977779

Oooo la la! I have to look into these more! Great recommendation and advice. Thank you!

 

[Chwicks]

It does no harm to a cockerel or rooster to segregate them. I routinely do this. The boys are just as content to chat with the girls through a barrier and to girl watch. In summer, the boys spend most of the day outside the runstanding on logs watching the girls inside the run. They all get time together later in the day. The girls do not need to be constantly mated.

It's a myth that the males of species are sexually frustrated when denied easy access to females. Yes, even human males, in which case it's an issue of self control.

Good to know! They are definitely talking with each other A LOT. Lol He’s so funny because he’s still doing the, “hey, baby! I’ve got the goods over here” cooing, but they’ve grown a little indifferent. Poor guy.

Thanks again for all the great advice!

 

[Chwicks]

I haven't kept my boys separated for more than a day or two, but I have picked them up after breakfast a few times because they HATE my father. They are pretty loud about their displeasure but I've not noticed any lasting side effects.

Thanks for sharing your experience. He seemed a little more displeased with me than the norm today, but all will return to normal in time.

 

[bhaugh]

I buy Mealworms 5lbs at a time

That’s my fear - it’s a learned behavior to some. I’m going to watch them closely tomorrow. Today seemed to go pretty well when I was out there. I was out there for about 6 hours.

A friend of mine has a quail farm and I’ve heard how they are even worse than chickens.

We may have to get rid of our Wyandottes.

We use mealworms as treats. Those suckers are expensive. Lol