What are they missing if they eat feathers???

[Pathfinders]

Sometimes it's not the percentage of protein that is the issue, it's the type of protein. Chickens need animal protein. When they don't get the right type in their feed, they'll take it where they can, and that can mean plucking each other's feathers.

What I do (and others as well) if I can't find feed that has animal protein in it, is add some dry cat food to my birds ration. It's not an ideal solution, but better than having them picking each other.

Try it.

 

[andehens]

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I have found this to be true, and mostly young ones will do it and then quit after awhile, it happens so much I think its "normal", like puppies trying everything and then out growing it.

 

[speckledhen]

I do buy feeds that contain good porcine animal protein, so it's definitely not a nutritional shortage they have. That darn poufy headed Olivia just has to pluck the roosters.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

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I watched on of mine do that this evening. They were eating some scratch grains and then she gobbled down a little feather off the ground... dessert?

 

[Pathfinders]

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Yes, some of them are anxious, or nervous, or something. I had a breeding pen with two Dutch females in it, and the one would pluck the others neck just bald. I eventually gave her away to a woman who lets them all run free all day (she breeds dogs and they keep the predators away), and she did much better then.