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[Southcoastchickenfan]

We have 4 chickens and have had them for a year but one of them has started pulling the others feathers out and eating them.

 

They are 4 hybrids and we moved house with them 7weeks ago. They never stopped laying and weren't really fazed.

 

At the old house they would be in their omlet cube run during the day and then would be let out at around 3/4pm when I returned from work. In the winter in weekdays they might not get let out as it would be dark and they would have gone to bed. At the weekends they would free range.

 

Since moving they free range a lot less but we bought an additional omlet walk in run so they have A LOT more space during the day. They free range for a few hours at the weekend.

 

We feed them pellets and then in the afternoon they get bananas/mealworms/vege as a treat.

 

Any idea how to stop the feather eating? It doesn't seem to be a pecking order thing as there isn't any rearing up or puffing up, she just gently pulls out the other chooks feathers and eats them-one has a bald neck.

 

In the poop area of the coop there are what looks like tiny bits of the quil part of the feather as though she's doing it at night too.

 

We're very worried, please help!

 

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Edited January 31, 2012 by Guest

[Poached Egg]

The feather pulling could be a result of the stress from the move,do you have the option to separate her from the others.

Make sure there are distractions/toys in the run if not.

Bumpa bits can be effective to stop the feather pulling,also make sure the chickens that have had the feathers pulled have no wounds/sore areas-treat with purple spray.

There are sprays available that discourage the feather pulling but i have know experience of using them.

I hope she settles down for you!

[jasperaliceuk]

I'm not going to be of much help but having exactly the same problem. Pretty sure we know who the culprit is - as she seems to be the only one sporting a full set of feathers!. However did see one of the others just helping herself to some feathers and scoffing them - the aggrieved bird wasn't bothered at all.

 

It doesn't seem to be an aggression thing - we give them extra mealworms, spray with Anti-peck which is devilishly hard to apply when the bird does not want to be caught, never mind the fact it entails a complete change and wash of my clothes as the fine mist just gets on you. You can't get the smell out of your nostrils for ages! Plenty of stuff to peck at. The thing is I'm convinced it only happens at night - rarely see it in the daytime. We not had any injuries but I'm prepared with some purple wound spray in case. They all seem to get on with each other and if anything the two top birds, ie our oldest ones who are quite territorial around food have been plucked the worse!

 

So, you're not alone - I would like an answer too but I don't think there is going to be any quick fix - this has been going on since about November for us.

 

Sue