What to do with a feather picker?

[goldielocks]

I have one RIR that is a feather picker. She goes from chicken to chicken trying to jerk out a feather on their lower backs! Then she eats them. They are fed very well. So i know its not a protein problem. What should i do?

 

[brwwk]

We had an Aracana hen that wouldn't leave the others alone. She actually seemed to "stalk" the other chickens. We threw her in the "hole", the "hole" being a medium sized chick cage. We gave her food and water and kept her in there for approx. 5 days. We'd move the little jail house back and forth between the yard and the coup at night so she'd be safe. When we finally let her out, she was bottom of the pecking order. She did well for about 2 weeks and then started stalking again. Back in the "hole" she went for another 7 days. Since we've let her out (about 3 weeks ago) she's been a good girl. Not professional advice, but just how we dealt with that nasty behaviour...and who knows how well it will work. (how DO they swallow those feathers??? Yuck!)

 

[goldielocks]

For real, i couldnt image wanting to swallow a feather. I think i will do just that. She will go in a different pen, it a very large area, probaby 8 x 15, under the lean-two. Its just chicken wire and i worry that she might get eaten. I guess if she does then she wont be eating feathers any longer. Thanks.

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[funkychickenowner]

If it was one of my birds that one would be dinner! its really not that bad to do even to small birds. Think of them a cornish hens!

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

I use pepers they can't aim at a feather to pull with them on

 

[Momo]

I had a couple of girls that were doing the same thing. I ordered pinless peepers for them and the problem was solved. After a few months I took the peepers off and there's been no recurrence.

 

[ChicksR4Me]

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What is a pinless peeper? I'm having a problem with my entire flock pecking feathers till their back sides are bald. Big problem. I've given them black oil sunflower seeds and cat food so I know they are not deficient in protein. I'm actually thinking about getting rid of the entire flock and starting over because when winter comes I don't want them to suffer in the cold.

 

[ella]

I had the same problem when mine were young. They're just getting into laying, the pecking order is all messed up. They are under a lot of stress. Once they turn two the pecking problems tend to dissapear.

If you can isolate who is doing it you can take off the tip of her beak with a nail clippers, I use a heavy duty dog clipper. Just take off the hook, not so much that it will bleed. It'll keep her from getting a good grip. You may have to repeat it a few times until she grows up a little.

Some things that can help eliminate stress is, stop using artificial light. It drove my girls bonkers over that first winter. Add extra space for them to roam if you can and add extra feeders and waterers to reduce compitition. Even if they have the best feed it doesn't mean some aren't getting pushed away from it.

Don't worry, it will get better.