Why are they plucking each other feathers out?

[Dolphin1022]

I have four babies that are going on three weeks old and my little black one has plucked the buff ones' tail feathers completely out! Why??? My little buff one just hollars out every time she gets plucked!! It's so sad. Is there anything I can do to stop it?

 

[TwoCrows]

Sometimes if babies have nothing else to do they will pick on each other. Make sure it is not too warm in the brooder. Try lowering the temp a few degrees ahead of time as the heat will make them act aggressive. Also don't crowd them as this will get the tension up in the brooder box. Try giving them something to do to occupy their time. Put a box of cut grass or grass hay in with them so they can pick and pull at the grasses. Put some sand or grit in there with it so they can scratch around. Even put chick starter in the box on top of all of the above. This will give them something to do other that pull the others feathers out.

I would also definitely add grit if you are offering anything like grass so it digests better.

 

[Pele]

What breed is the black chick? Assertive and aggressive breeds shouldn't be housed with docile breeds like Orpingtons. Also, what is the protien levels in the feed you are giving them? Not enough protien can result in feather-eating and canabalism.

 

[bobj8435]

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