Why is 6 week old Cinnamon Queen pecking and eating other chicks feathers?

[HeidiO]

Hello! We got 10 baby chick for the first time 6 weeks ago and one of the Cinnamon Queens is a bully. She picks on the Black Stars and Production Reds by relentlessly pecking at them and eating their feathers. Is eating feathers normal? She has constant access to chick grit, water and a good quality feed with high protein.

 

[Omgbelenz]

How big is their area? I once had a chick (light brown leghorn) who would try and pluck the others when they weren’t looking. I did some research and found that it’s because she was bored and wanted something more spacious. I got a bigger pool to brooded them in and she stopped.

 

[HeidiO]

They were in a large refrigerator box (maybe 5 feet by 3 feet) waiting for our chicken coop to be built. (It was delayed because lots of rain in our area). My thoughts were they were bored. But today we just moved them to their new 4x6 coop and will let them in the run in a day or two, so hoping this will help.

 

[llombardo]

I have a cinnamon queen and she is a sweet girl. She has never picked or pecked at any of the others. She does like to peck at me, I had to work with her for a couple days to get that to stop and she has been good.

 

[The Golden Egg5]

Another possibility is a protein deficiency. To test this out you can give your flock some mealworms, scrambled or boiled egg, cottage cheese, yogurt, meat, or anything like that. I have heard of chickens who were eating good quality feed having a protein deficiency and eating feathers, so it’s always worth a try

 

[HeidiO]

Another possibility is a protein deficiency. To test this out you can give your flock some mealworms, scrambled or boiled egg, cottage cheese, yogurt, meat, or anything like that. I have heard of chickens who were eating good quality feed having a protein deficiency and eating feathers, so it’s always worth a try

Are they old enough for mealworms? At 6 weeks old I don't think they could swallow them whole yet.

 

[llombardo]

Are they old enough for mealworms? At 6 weeks old I don't think they could swallow them whole yet.

Yes, you can crumble them too. They have treats that are mixed with mealworms. I get the oregano and mealworm treats. Make sure they have grit to digest anything other then their feed.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Are they old enough for mealworms? At 6 weeks old I don't think they could swallow them whole yet.

I wouldn't rely on mealworms for protein since I think they're rather fatty (canned fish or cat food are other options) but yes a 6 week old chick is old enough to have whole mealworms. A 2 week old is old enough to eat them whole.

 

[aart]

Crowding......or just a jerkbird....time will tell.

 

[jolenesdad]

My three and four day old chicks were going after live mealworms this year. They’ll be fine and super appreciative.

Agree with the others it’s likely a space issue.

I would dig up a little grass and dirt and put it in that coop so there’s other things to scratch and peck at.