does anyone know of a cure for chickens pulling feathers ? these are full grown hens and rosters, but they are pulling each others feathers out.

-- rich arnold (rma@fidnet.com), March 07, 2000

Answers

First of all ,are they kept in a pen or freeranged? What are you feeding ?How many roosters? If its just your hens you either have too many roosters or a very fresh one .If its the roosters to are there to many in a small area? Are they getting everything they need in there feed ? Can you get them some fresh greens? With a little more info I'm sure this forum can help you.

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), March 07, 2000.

So Rich, pay attention to what Patty said, if those roosters get fresh, slap them. Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), March 07, 2000.

Every male of every species sometimes get too fresh and need to be put in there places!Sorry I couldn"t resist. I'm only kidding.

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), March 07, 2000.

Except me! (You hussies!)

Gewntleman Brad

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), March 07, 2000.

Except me! (You hussies!)

Gentleman Brad

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), March 07, 2000.

is that another chicken joke!!

-- shaun cornish (shaun-terri@juno.com), March 07, 2000.

Enough of that! Ya'll are just having w-a-a-y too much fun with that! I know, I was laughing my head off. Now, somebody who knows about chickens, please answer Rich's question.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), March 08, 2000.

Check out the "pitiful chicken" question. Lots of good suggestions there.

-- Peg (jnjohnsn@pressenter.com), March 08, 2000.

OK, let's get serious. I free-range and want fertile eggs. I sell eggs in a niche market. You do not need roosters to get eggs, and unless you have a niche market or want fertile eggs for your own use for either eating or hatching, dump the rooster. My second guess is that they are bored. Read as: not enough room to avoid each other. I'll bet you have a dominant bird or 2 that aren't losing feathers. Can you free range? If not, expand the room they have, or reduce the flock. Free ranging is my way, but I realize that foxes (mostly) and raccoons (nocturnal - only when they can invade the coop), will get a chicken dinner occasionally. Dogs help a lot, but we let them in at night, and they aren't always woofy enough to be let out in time. Everything has to eat, including foxes. I do everything I can to frustrate them, but leave roadkill near the dens. I have also shot some when they got too aggressive. I have rambled! Bottom line - too many chickies or too little room! Good Luck

Brad

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), March 08, 2000.