Well, lets first take a look not only at the motives of this crime, but at other things that could be mistaken for feather-pecking. This morning, I went to the coop and the hut is full of her feathers. 3 Effective Ways to Use It. The signs for pecking could be false positives: Sometimes there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. Pecking out her own feathers Flycropper Apr 17, 2010 Sort by date Sort by reaction score Apr 17, 2010 #1 Flycropper In the Brooder 11 Years Apr 8, 2008 79 0 39 Central Arkansas I have an Americauna that started having a bald spot on her back/rump area. Egg eating normally starts by accident, by an egg breaking and a hen finding a tasty treat inside. An anti-feather pecking spray would help in this instance also, making the newly emerging quills taste bad to the pecking hens. Either in the first or second case, there is redness all over that bald area of the hen. If you dont nip boredom in the bud, it can lead to behavioral problems such as bullying, feather plucking, fighting amongst the flock as well as egg eating. Preening What to Do After Your Chickens Lose Feathers 10 Reasons You Have Chickens Losing Feathers 1. Molting Chickens need increased protein. 5 Important Tips, 13 Important Reasons Why Chickens Get Stressed (Signs+Solutions), 12 Benefits of Using Apple Cider Vinegar How to Make Your Chickens Happy, Healthy and More Productive, 15 Important Tips How to Raise Happy Chickens in Winter, 5 Important Ways To Use Herbs Around Your Chickens, 11 Important Chicken Supplies You Need to Raise Happier Chickens. Actually, you can score two goals with one shot by using a gentian violet spray. Be extra careful with slow feathering birds. Below are some ways you can increase your flocks protein intake during a molt without breaking the bank.MONEY SAVINGIDEAS FORSERVINGHIGH PROTEIN TREATSTO YOUR MOLTINGCHICKENSMAKE YOUR OWNCHICKEN FODDERBREED YOUR OWNMEALWORMSINSTANT POTYOGURT FORCHICKENSSPROUT CHICKENGRAINSFERMENT CHICKENFEEDBREED CRICKETSAT HOME, How to Make High Protein Treats for Molting Chickens. Then what other solutions are there? When you see bald patches, redness, and even bleeding, this all can indicate a number of things, not only pecking. Treats or snackscan be employed as an occasional distraction, but should not be relied upon as a primary form of entertainment. A helpful approach is to hold your ground, wave your arms, but otherwise make it clear you are not after his girls. Chickens in the wild have complex interactions with their surroundings and each other, leading to an active and varied experience of the world. Find me a Vet. If protein is the answer what do you suggest to supplement ? You can even just place yourself in your chickens shoes, or rather feet, and remove any unpleasantries from their way.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'henraising_com-leader-4','ezslot_18',146,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-henraising_com-leader-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'henraising_com-leader-4','ezslot_19',146,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-henraising_com-leader-4-0_1'); .leader-4-multi-146{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Growing in new feathers also requires an increase in protein in a chickens diet. This will better prepare them for the cold winter weather ahead. Be on the lookout for broken pin feathers during a molt and immediatelyseparateany bird with damaged or bleeding pin feathers from the flock to prevent furtherinjury. "Everything you need to know to raise chickens in your OWN backyard.". However, there are many issues that a chicken keeper faces but one of the most common is when chickens start pecking each other feathers out. Feather pecking is a behavioural problem that occurs most frequently amongst domestic hens reared for egg production, [1] [2] although it does occur in other poultry such as pheasants, [3] turkeys, [4] ducks, [5] broiler chickens [6] and is sometimes seen in farmed ostriches. As with any type of animal in the ecosystem, hens have a dominance hierarchy of their own. take a closer look at the feathers she is pulling out. Feathers are about 85% protein. Another cool trick is using an anti-feather pecking spray. To know feather-pecking, lets first start by differentiating it from bird preening, the peaceful pecking. If you see your flock seeming to pull at their own feathers, don't immediately panic! So to help you understand better, here are some other reasons why chickens peck each others bottom:if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'backyardchickenscoop_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',149,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-backyardchickenscoop_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Overheating is one of the main reasons that cause chickens to peck each others bottom. 5 Important things You Need to Know -When Should You Help a Chick Hatch? 6 Best Breeds that Will Lay Beautiful Blue Chicken Eggs, How to Increase Egg Laying-9 Best Nesting Box Herbs for Chickens, Do Chickens Need a Rooster to Lay Eggs? Even though chickens eating their own feathers can be a troubling issue, it now has a lot of solutions at hand. As chickens learn from each other, the problem could spread throughout the flock if left unresolved.