Question....

[chicklin]

Hi all, I have a question. Why do chickens tail feathers fall out? One of my realitives asked me and wanted me to find out. Any help will be appreaciated!

 

[A1 Steak Sauce]

Well, when they molt or when something plucks them.

 

[chicklin]

are you sure that would be the only explanation

 

[canada-goose]

What? Do you have another explanation in mind?! A1 Steak Sauce covered it.

 

[waterpossum]

they/re not using them to write home to momma! (quills) do they free range? maybe a predator grabbed one by the tail and pulled them out aka fox or dog. other than that A1 is correct a mundo! do you have a reason to think otherwise?

 

[chicklin]

oh, i was just wonderin if there could be any other possibility of something else

 

[canada-goose]

I can't think of any.

 

[emys]

If they have a bad case of mites or lice, they could be pulling them out themselves to try and get rid of or get at the bugs. Have you checked for tiny bugs on them?

 

[Kittymomma]

Poor diet and/or overcrowding can cause them to pluck feathers too. It all pretty much comes down to molting or being plucked, but there can be multiple reasons for plucking.

 

[chicklin]

thanks for all the help!!!