Two month olds eating each others feathers?

[cluckcluck42]

I have 12 two month olds in a large outdoor coop. It is definitely big enough for all of them, they have lots of room to get away from each other and explore. I just noticed this today and now one of them has feathers missing from its neck. I witnessed them walking up to each other and just plucking feathers and munching.

I have never dealt with this in my flock before, I just bought these birds. What can I do?? Even my meat birds never plucked each other!

Oh we ran out of grower a few days ago and were feeding laying mash until this afternoon. Could a change in feed mess them up?? The extra calcium? *shrug*

 

[Mahonri]

Feed them some protein.

 

[Olive Hill]

Feathers are almost purely protein. They're making up for what's lacking in their diet. Layer feed is not suitable for growing birds.

 

[cluckcluck42]

Thanks for the input. It has literally been less than three days on the mash, it can effect them that fast? :O They're already on the grower again so I guess it will just remedy themselves. I will go scramble them some eggs just to make sure they get their protein. Sorry babies, mommy ran out of money.

 

[snowflake]

you might want to try Flock raiser, it has 20%, protein

 

[Olive Hill]

If I don't get enough protein at breakfast I feel it and am craving some by mid-morning. And that's just one meal.

Three days is more than enough time for them to start feeling the effects of the diet change.