Topic of the Week - Feather Pecking/Eating

[staceylynn411]

I notice you have frizzles as well. My two frizzles are the ones that have a major loss of feathers. I was thinking it was maybe inbreeding, the person I received them from may have let them inbreed. Do you think that is a cause? Because I only had two, one hen and one roo, I kept them apart from the rest... they did not bathe as much as the others or even free range as much. Poor fellas, I feel like they really got the raw end of the deal. Any ideas or comments. Thanks.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I notice you have frizzles as well.  My two frizzles are the ones that have a major loss of feathers.  I was thinking it was maybe inbreeding, the person I received them from may have let them inbreed.  Do you think that is a cause?  Because I only had two, one hen and one roo, I kept them apart from the rest... they did not bathe as much as the others or even free range as much.  Poor fellas, I feel like they really got the raw end of the deal.  Any ideas or comments.  Thanks.

Are they frizzle or frazzled, which occurs when breeding frizzle to frizzle. The feathers end up over curly and brittle and fall out easily. Otherwise frizzle hens that are mated too much can end up bare backed or bottomed because of it. A photo can help determine if yours are frazzled.

My frizzled cochins don't like free ranging too much either. They are more laid back. My younger ones are more likely to free range than my older birds who stick closer to the coop.

 

[staceylynn411]

Maybe the are frazzle. They were sold as frizzle. They are such a mess. I have been feeding them feather fixer in hopes that they will grow some feathers. I put them in my garden to "free range", its a small garden. The hen dust bathes, the roo really has no clue. He has had a rough life since the beginning. I think he was pecked on the head by the others at first, then he has been attacked twice and barely made it, once by a hawk.

I have gotten 12 frizzles within the past month and wonder if it will be ok if I combine the two. They are between 6 and 10 weeks old. The "frazzles" are almost a year old. I was hoping to make one big flock.

Also, do you know if I have more than one roo if they will be ok. Sorry about all the questions, I'm still very new.

 

[aart]

Maybe the are frazzle. They were sold as frizzle. They are such a mess. I have been feeding them feather fixer in hopes that they will grow some feathers. I put them in my garden to "free range", its a small garden. The hen dust bathes, the roo really has no clue. He has had a rough life since the beginning. I think he was pecked on the head by the others at first, then he has been attacked twice and barely made it, once by a hawk.

I have gotten 12 frizzles within the past month and wonder if it will be ok if I combine the two. They are between 6 and 10 weeks old. The "frazzles" are almost a year old. I was hoping to make one big flock.

Also, do you know if I have more than one roo if they will be ok. Sorry about all the questions, I'm still very new.

Keep in mind that 'feather fixer' fed is a bit of a marketing ploy.
It does have slightly higher protein than most layer feeds,
but also has 3.25- 3.75% calcium - not good for non laying birds.
Long story on it's marketing crap that I won't go into here.

Welcome to BYC @staceylynn411 !
Might be good to start a new thread in the general breed forum with some pics to suss out your frizzle/frazzle issues. Best of cLuck!

 

[staceylynn411]

Thanks for your help. If I can figure it out, I will start it.

BTW, my little girl lays her own little egg regularly. She's very proud of herself as well.!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Maybe the are frazzle.  They were sold as frizzle.  They are such a mess.  I have been feeding them feather fixer in hopes that they will grow some feathers.  I put them in my garden to "free range", its a small garden.  The hen dust bathes, the roo really has no clue.  He has had a rough life since the beginning.  I think he was pecked on the head by the others at first, then he has been attacked twice and barely made it, once by a hawk.  

I have gotten 12 frizzles within the past month and wonder if it will be ok if I combine the two.  They are between 6 and 10 weeks old.  The "frazzles" are almost a year old.  I was hoping to make one big flock.

Also, do you know if I have more than one roo if they will be ok.  Sorry about all the questions, I'm still very new.

I feed all my bantam cochins a non medicated starter grower year round. They do well on it. I keep a separate bowl of oyster shells full for them to regulate their own calcium needs. I assume yours are cochins? I would integrate your young ones when they are 2-3 months by penning them next to or inside the coop or run for a few weeks before beginning to let them mingle.

Sometimes 2 roosters are fine, sometimes they aren't. If you were to have troubles it probably wouldn't be until next year spring when the younger rooster will be fully mature and full of himself.

 

[BeeBetsy]

My sex links are laying machines but now are pecking and eating there feathers leaving back sides bare. How much protein should they have. My feed supplier says 16% is enough but I have increased to 20% layer feed. Should I feed extra vitamins? Oyster shells are fed free choice.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My sex links are laying machines but now are pecking and eating there feathers leaving back sides bare. How much protein should they have. My feed supplier says 16% is enough but I have increased to 20% layer feed. Should I feed extra vitamins? Oyster shells are fed free choice.

Stick with the 20%. You could temporarily add in some higher protein treats like scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, meal worms, or canned fish to give them a jump start. 16% can be enough if hens aren't fed extra things besides the ration, but I prefer to feed the higher protein feed. I have found sex links need more protein than other breeds due to how much they lay.

 

[lazy gardener]

Quote: Aart, good job pointing out the emperor's new clothes!

 

[PrimroseMom1]

The only time I had a real problem was a sex link that would beck off and eat the beard feathers of my Amercauna. Every year! My Amercauna always looked so bad. She would calmly sit there while her beard was pecked off, so it wasn’t distressful to her. It never stopped until the sex link died.