- Apr 5, 2013
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I'm new to chickens and don't really know chicken behavior. My birds prune themselves and sometimes feathers come out, they aren't OCD about pullin feathers, it's just like they are cleaning themselves. However, my BO is often pecking at my RIR and BR. I'm not sure if this is true hen pecking or if they are just establishing dominance. If pecking is a major problem, how could I tell? And would I be able to tell the difference between pecking feather loss and the loss of them just grooming themselves. These are 5 month old pullets, haven't layed or molted yet, how will I know if it's molting or the other two scenarios I listed? Also, if a feather falls out or is plucked out they rush to eat it up. I've heard that this is protien lack. I have them on O.H. Kruse Organic Starter/Grower crumble, because that's what they were used to on the ranch I got them from. Should I change food? Thanks so much, I'm rambling!