Young pullet eating feathers?

[tls_ranch]

I have a EE pullet named Violet that is almost 3 months old. She is eating every feather she finds on the ground like its a delicious bug. Should I worry about this? She's been doing this for awhile now and I can't seem to distract her. She doesn't peck or pull feathers from the older birds.

My flock is also moulting right now so there are lots of feathers laying around. They are being fed starter/grower and black oil sunflower seeds + some scratch as a treat. They also get veggies, grass, cooked beans, fruit and small amounts of cheese.

 

[Suziers]

I will be watching for a reply. I don't have an answer. My chickens eat feathers all of the time and I assumed it was normal. I will keep watching to see what others have to say.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

She needs more protein. Feathers contain a lot of protein and, especially when molting, they need all the protein they can get to replace the ones they lost.

 

[tls_ranch]

Thanks, I'll try and up their protein some more. She's the only one to do this and is about 4 weeks younger than the ones moulting.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

If that doesn't help, then it may just be a habit she has made. If increasing their protein doesn't work then don't worry about it.

 

[GoldenSilverLaced]

It is fine for them to eat feathers, as in it is not going to make them ill as far as I know. Mine used to eat each other's loose feathers right off of their bodies, but they never hurt each other (the feathers were ready to come out, so they weren't pulled, and there was no aggression present that I could tell).

 

[sussexgal]

Quote:
Absolutely! Extra protein is easy.... yogurt, cottage cheese, milk, boiled eggs, hamburger.... good luck to you.

 

[OHWoosterChick]

My month old chicks have been doing this for the past couple of weeks but just tonight one started pulling out breast feathers of other chicks while they are on the roost. I'm going to up the protein and watch behavior. I'll let you know if this helps and if I see any indication of when the behavior can turn ugly. Hope yours doesn't.