tail feathers

[lakehuroncluckers]

when will our chickens stop ripping the feathers out of each other?
they are 12 weeks old
the roosters are out
is this molting when they are ripped out with a loud squak, or do they just fall out?
our coop floor is pine shavings and feathers..
any help is appreciated ....thanks

 

[Chickemee]

I think molting is when there feathers fall out buy themselves. I belive someone said that if they get enough protien they won't tear out each others feathers.

 

[SweetLilRachy00]

Perhaps they don't have enough room and they are getting irriated with one another.

 

[arlee453]

12 weeks is too early for molting. Sounds like they are pecking one another.

Others have mentioned the usual causes: overcrowding and lack of protein in the diet.

Also, if you have too many roos housed together that can exacerbate the problem.