Still trying to stop feather picking / eating

[HudokFarm]

My pullets (hatched in early March, from McMurray's) like feathers. They pick them off each other and eat them. A few of my EEs have no tails left. The EEs are the most picked on. A few of them will stand up for themselves if another tries to eat their feathers, but most of the EEs just take it. A few of them have had feathers picked to the point that they bled (thru the feather shaft). So far ::knocks on wood:: the pickers are not going after the blood.

Here is what I have done so far to try to stop this:

• Diet changes - I upped their protein a little. I recently switched them to Layena with a little protein supplemented.
• Toys - Did not help
• Blue Kote on the the bare areas of some of the chickens. As soon as it wears off, they get picked on again. I also bought some tacky stuff I am going to try to put on areas that get picked. I guess it tastes bad and the tackiness is annoying on their beaks.
• Dusted chickens and coop for mites.

I think some of it is just habitual now. I have 4 Speckled Sussexes who are the worst offenders and who seem to keep the trend going. Maybe I just need to get rid of them of move them out of the run and free range them? Does anyone have other ideas or experiences to share?

 

[sumi]

Feather eating is usually caused by boredom and lack of protein, but I see you've covered that already, so I'm thinking your chickens just learned a bad habit. Have you tried pinless peepers yet? It's worked wonders for some people who had the same issue as you. Here's a thread with a pic and some of the more common questions about them answered:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/480929/pinless-peepers-work

 

[HudokFarm]

I haven't tried pinless peepers yet. I thought I read one post that they did not work for someone and that is why I never ordered any. I will get some ordered and see if they help. Thanks for reminding me of them!