Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[catface]

Quote:
Strange. I've never heard of Ommona. I breed Ayam Cemani and they are Indonesian. I sell a lot of culls for meat to asian people and I've never found a single one who's heard of a Cemani before.

 

[Carolei]

This is a long post, but I need help with a feather eating pullet!

About two or three weeks ago my 9 month old Barred Rock, Roxanne (my avatar), started pulling and eating the downy feathers on the other girls' fuzzy butts. From what I've read, this problem can be caused by a need for more protein, close confinement, and/or boredom. My five pullets (all brooder mates) live in my Seattle backyard. They have a 5 x 7 coop and a total of 165 square feet of run area -- It's actually two runs with the coop in the middle. I don't think they are bored; they are very active and busy most of the time. They are all great layers.

Before this started I was feeding them Organic Scratch & Peck 16% layer and/or In Season Farms 16% layer. I was giving BOSS, scratch and fresh greens as treats. I have now switched to Scratch and Peck 18% layer and am giving meal worms and BOSS as treats. I also bought Baxter Barns 22% protein Poultry Boost -- which they don't like plain -- but I've been mixing it with yogurt, hard boiled eggs, and canned mackerel and giving them some of that as a supplement every day. I also set up a tractor to let them out on the fresh grass when I'm home and the weather is decent. I also put Peck-No-More on the first two girls that were pecked, but that was a goopy mess and just led her to start on the other girls.

Unfortunately, the problem seems to be getting worse, rather than better. This doesn't look like aggressive pecking, or dominance behavior. Other than this, the girls all get along well. I think it may have started as a need for more protein because she lays a beautiful egg almost every day, and that takes a lot of protein! However, now I think when she sees a fluffy butt in front of her it just looks like a tasty snack, so she goes for it, even though she's now getting plenty of protein.

I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions. Has anyone tried pinless peepers?

If I can't solve this I will try to rehome her to a rural place where she can free range and the other girls would be able to stay away from her more easily. Although I don't know if I will find anyone willing to take a feather eater! I raised her from a day old chick and she is super friendly and sweet, so this is very sad for me.

Thank you for any suggestions!

 

[xoxocammyxoxo]

Strange. I've never heard of Ommona. I breed Ayam Cemani and they are Indonesian. I sell a lot of culls for meat to asian people and I've never found a single one who's heard of a Cemani before.

You have Ayam Cemani <3 I so want to pick your brain.

 

[catface]

Quote: Here's a whole basket full of them

 

[Fogg]

This is a long post, but I need help with a feather eating pullet!

About two or three weeks ago my 9 month old Barred Rock, Roxanne (my avatar), started pulling and eating the downy feathers on the other girls' fuzzy butts. From what I've read, this problem can be caused by a need for more protein, close confinement, and/or boredom. My five pullets (all brooder mates) live in my Seattle backyard. They have a 5 x 7 coop and a total of 165 square feet of run area -- It's actually two runs with the coop in the middle. I don't think they are bored; they are very active and busy most of the time. They are all great layers.

Before this started I was feeding them Organic Scratch & Peck 16% layer and/or In Season Farms 16% layer. I was giving BOSS, scratch and fresh greens as treats. I have now switched to Scratch and Peck 18% layer and am giving meal worms and BOSS as treats. I also bought Baxter Barns 22% protein Poultry Boost -- which they don't like plain -- but I've been mixing it with yogurt, hard boiled eggs, and canned mackerel and giving them some of that as a supplement every day. I also set up a tractor to let them out on the fresh grass when I'm home and the weather is decent. I also put Peck-No-More on the first two girls that were pecked, but that was a goopy mess and just led her to start on the other girls.

Unfortunately, the problem seems to be getting worse, rather than better. This doesn't look like aggressive pecking, or dominance behavior. Other than this, the girls all get along well. I think it may have started as a need for more protein because she lays a beautiful egg almost every day, and that takes a lot of protein! However, now I think when she sees a fluffy butt in front of her it just looks like a tasty snack, so she goes for it, even though she's now getting plenty of protein.

I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions. Has anyone tried pinless peepers?

If I can't solve this I will try to rehome her to a rural place where she can free range and the other girls would be able to stay away from her more easily. Although I don't know if I will find anyone willing to take a feather eater! I raised her from a day old chick and she is super friendly and sweet, so this is very sad for me.

Thank you for any suggestions!

Try spraying all the butts with BluKote.

 

[Carolei]

Try spraying all the butts with BluKote.

The BluKote info says " Not for use on food producing animals."

I wonder if there is a powder -- a spice or herb -- that wouldn't hurt the birds if they ate it, but would taste bad. Any ideas? I think that would be less messy and cold that the liquid and goopy stuff.

 

[Fogg]

The BluKote info says " Not for use on food producing animals."

Pffft ... .people use BluKote on their birds all the time. I certainly have, and will again.

 

[CarolynF]

Quote:
Very true, pretty much a staple for flock owners. A lot of things we use are considered "off label" primarily because the mfg doesn't want to do the testing.

 

[Hinotori]

I use blu kote on mine if they really need it. It's just mostly genetian violet. You can buy it for human use as well.

 

[Carolei]

Very true, pretty much a staple for flock owners. A lot of things we use are considered "off label" primarily because the mfg doesn't want to do the testing.

Interesting, I have no experience with this and I'm new -- or rather, newly returning -- to chickens and I'm a city girl so I don't claim any expertise in this area. Blu-kote is recommended for horses, but says not to use on horses that will be used for meat. Also recommended for dogs, but says not to let dogs lick the blu-kote. I'm cautious about the food I feed my family, especially young grandchildren.