Topic of the Week - Feather Pecking/Eating

[johnson7599]

The topic of feather pecking/eating is one that comes up fairly often, so this week I would like to hear you all's thoughts on this dilemma and what step(s) you've taken to help stop/prevent it. Specifically:

- What causes the flock to start pecking/eating each others' feathers?
- What level of pecking is normal is what is not? (For new chicken keepers)
- How can you prevent/stop feather pecking/eating?

 

[lazy gardener]

- What causes the flock to start pecking/eating each others' feathers? Stress, genetics, over crowding, boredom, poor nutrition, overheating, especially in the brooder. It can start at a very early age (in the brooder) and can continue to become a life long habit.
- What level of pecking is normal is what is not? (For new chicken keepers) IMO, feather picking is not normal. I sometimes will have a hen or pullet who is over zealous when grooming my roo. But, if feathers are being removed to show any skin, you've got a problem bird on your hands.
- How can you prevent/stop feather pecking/eating? In the brooder, use a heating pad cave instead of a heat lamp. That will remove most of their stress and temperature issues. Give the chicks plenty of room. (2 s.f./chick to carry them through 3 - 4 weeks.) Brood them outside so they can get on the ground and engage in normal chick behaviors. Provide those chicks with good nutrition. (I'm an advocate of fermented feed) For older birds, give them plenty of room: in the coop, at least 4 s.f./bird. In the run 10 s.f./bird. Free range when ever possible. If that's not possible, give them plenty of opportunity to engage in chicken behavior. The worst thing you can do is pen your birds in a run that is bare soil. It becomes a slimy fecal mud pit when it's rainy, and either a packed dry cement moon scape or a dust bowl when the weather is dry. it is the perfect set up for passing disease and parasites on to your flock, as well as not giving them the opportunity engage in normal chicken activities. This can be remedied by turning your run into a deep litter compost. Beneficial bacteria and fungi will proliferate, which in turn will feed beneficial insects, and your chickens, as well as keep the pathogens in check. Give your birds multi level opportunities to "play". Make hay bale pyramids. Stack 2 bales with a third bale on the top, creating a tunnel that the birds can pass through. I put extra support, in the form of a piece of plywood to form the roof of the tunnel to prevent any collapse issues. A hollow log, a few tree branches that can provide perching and climbing opportunities. Add garden debris, lawn clippings, leaves, any other compostable material for them to work on. If all diet and environmental factors have been dealt with, then, it may be time to cull the offenders.

 

[Stephine]

I had one feather pecking hen in my flock who would peck the rooster bare and go after the other hens for feathers as well. I put a pair of pinless peepers on her and that stopped the problem. I would also recommend feeding adequate animal protein and lots of free ranging. When they are too busy to mess with each other...

 

[Fluffers]

My barred rock chicken eats feathers that she sees floating around in the air (if it is close enough to her) She just does it randomly. She never pecks them off of other chickens.

 

[Nikosbirds]

I have found that a product called Blu Coat works well. Basically just an antibacterial spray that has a food safe blue dye in it. The birds are drawn to peck at flesh. If it's colored dark blue it may help with that impulse. Just spray the area of bare skin every 3-7 days as needed until the feathers grow back.
Also I have read that making sure the birds have enough calcium can help- so adding some oyster shell to their feed might be a good idea. Certainly can't hurt.

 

[countryfarmer]

i have two hens that are pecking feathers off of my rooster around the neck and backside, i have been tying the hot pick but its not helping much ,thinking about separating them ,maybe i will try the higher protein first ,its strange they only go after the rooster and not other hens .

 

[aart]

I have found that a product called Blu Coat works well. Basically just an antibacterial spray that has a food safe blue dye in it. The birds are drawn to peck at flesh. If it's colored dark blue it may help with that impulse. Just spray the area of bare skin every 3-7 days as needed until the feathers grow back.
Also I have read that making sure the birds have enough calcium can help- so adding some oyster shell to their feed might be a good idea. Certainly can't hurt.

It's lack of protein, not calcium, that may cause feather pecking eating.

 

[twinsmom6]

so I have not seen feathers being pecked out.. but usual establishing of who the Queen chicken is .. but I did notice they were eating some of the of the dropped feathers. So I will increase the protein that we give them. thank you !

How much feather loss is expected? my buff orpis seem to loose very few feathers.. but my austraulorps seem to loose more.... but not sure when I should be concerned.. no bald spots or moulting signs all my girls are under a year still.

 

[PrimroseMom1]

Mine did it back in the day under confinement in a smaller area and not being fed properly. I haven't seen it in years as mine get plenty of room now and I no longer feed layer ration which in my opinion causes deficiencies, especially when extra stuff like scratch is fed.

I have seen it more in higher production breeds like sex links which I no longer keep because of it.

Funny you say that. I have an Americauna and a sex link. A couple of years ago I noticed the sex link pecking and eating the beard of the Amercauna. Each year when the Amercauna molts and gets her beard I hope the sex link won't eat it, but she does. It is only the sex link eating the feathers of the beard of the Amercauna. The Amercauna calmly stands there very calm and accommodating. No other birds ever involved. The sex link doesn't ever eat feathers from any other part of the Amercauna's body, just her beard. My girls get sufficient protein, aren't crowded or stressed. Just a behavior.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Weird chicken. I will never keep sex links again. They can be odd birds who make trouble.