Comments on: Feather Picking/Plucking and Cannibalism http://backtobasicliving.com/blog/feather-pickingplucking-and-cannibalism/ Our adventure into Homesteading and getting back to basic living. Life is tough, but living doesn't have to be. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:53:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Elizabeth http://backtobasicliving.com/blog/feather-pickingplucking-and-cannibalism/comment-page-1/#comment-142920 Elizabeth Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:10:33 +0000 http://backtobasicliving.com/blog/?p=294#comment-142920 I am experiencing this right now. I think the main problem is lack of area to run around in. Now I am thinking about letting them into my garden in the winter. We will see what happens. For now I have one hen healing in a dog crate. Thanks for the advice. I will use it! I am experiencing this right now. I think the main problem is lack of area to run around in. Now I am thinking about letting them into my garden in the winter. We will see what happens. For now I have one hen healing in a dog crate. Thanks for the advice. I will use it!

]]> By: Christie http://backtobasicliving.com/blog/feather-pickingplucking-and-cannibalism/comment-page-1/#comment-142911 Christie Sat, 17 Dec 2011 03:19:11 +0000 http://backtobasicliving.com/blog/?p=294#comment-142911 I had a very similar experience with my flock. I tried EVERYTHING. I ended up free ranging my hens all day long. They were laying eggs in the bushes, pooping all over the porch and sidewalk but still I had plucking! At that point I realized it was a habit now. The crazy thing is I only once ever ever saw it happen. And I spend a lot of time with my birds. There was one hen who had perfect feathers. I caught her just plucking mouthfulls of feathers out of others bottoms while they were sun bathing. I couldn't believe they just laid there and allowed it. I ended up giving away than hen. There were a few hens with bare spots here and there. They finally all went through their 1 year molt and amazingly everyone is beautiful and fully feathered and there is peace again. I honestly thought that the feathers were just never gonna grow back. Apparently going through molt gives all the feathers a booster and they grow back fast and beautiful. I had a very similar experience with my flock. I tried EVERYTHING. I ended up free ranging my hens all day long. They were laying eggs in the bushes, pooping all over the porch and sidewalk but still I had plucking! At that point I realized it was a habit now. The crazy thing is I only once ever ever saw it happen. And I spend a lot of time with my birds. There was one hen who had perfect feathers. I caught her just plucking mouthfulls of feathers out of others bottoms while they were sun bathing. I couldn’t believe they just laid there and allowed it.
I ended up giving away than hen. There were a few hens with bare spots here and there. They finally all went through their 1 year molt and amazingly everyone is beautiful and fully feathered and there is peace again. I honestly thought that the feathers were just never gonna grow back. Apparently going through molt gives all the feathers a booster and they grow back fast and beautiful.

]]> By: basicliving http://backtobasicliving.com/blog/feather-pickingplucking-and-cannibalism/comment-page-1/#comment-1862 basicliving Sat, 07 Mar 2009 12:52:06 +0000 http://backtobasicliving.com/blog/?p=294#comment-1862 Hi Kim. I honestly believe boredom is the chief cause of these types of issues. For the most part, free ranging has brought in under control within my flock, but it has flared up a few times since I initially posted this. Each time has been during a cold/snowy stretch when the chickens won't leave the coop/run area. I know not everyone can free range - and even those of us who can get tired of dealing with the destruction those little buggers can cause to gardens and yards! But I do believe free ranging is one of the healthiest things we can do for our chickens and I know it has helped with controlling the feather picking within my flock. And we will be using chicken wire to fence off gardens and flowers this year for sure! Take care, Penny Hi Kim. I honestly believe boredom is the chief cause of these types of issues. For the most part, free ranging has brought in under control within my flock, but it has flared up a few times since I initially posted this. Each time has been during a cold/snowy stretch when the chickens won’t leave the coop/run area. I know not everyone can free range – and even those of us who can get tired of dealing with the destruction those little buggers can cause to gardens and yards! But I do believe free ranging is one of the healthiest things we can do for our chickens and I know it has helped with controlling the feather picking within my flock. And we will be using chicken wire to fence off gardens and flowers this year for sure!

Take care,
Penny

]]> By: inadvertent farmer http://backtobasicliving.com/blog/feather-pickingplucking-and-cannibalism/comment-page-1/#comment-1672 inadvertent farmer Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:36:36 +0000 http://backtobasicliving.com/blog/?p=294#comment-1672 Interesting post. I have a small flock of hens but have never experienced feather plucking. Then again I don't have a rooster so maybe that helps. Mine are free range during the winter but but back in the spring/summer because they destroy my garden, roses, and spread the compost pile all over the farm!!! After reading your post I think I will rig something up so they can free range without getting into trouble. Good luck! Kim Interesting post. I have a small flock of hens but have never experienced feather plucking. Then again I don’t have a rooster so maybe that helps. Mine are free range during the winter but but back in the spring/summer because they destroy my garden, roses, and spread the compost pile all over the farm!!!

After reading your post I think I will rig something up so they can free range without getting into trouble.

Good luck! Kim

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