Why do chickens eat feathers?

[beginnerchick]

I was wondering the same thing. Mine do too, but only sometimes. I'm glad to read that other chickens also do it.

 

[432bullet]

Chickens eat everything and everything eats chicken.

 

[boyswillbeboys]

that's interesting to know it could be low protein, my pullets are just starting to lay, but I will make sure that I increase their protein, I have some BOSS I've been planning on sprouting

 

[aljeffers]

Nice to know that others have the same issues. I actually saw one of my RIR pull the feather from my Silver Lace and eat it the other day.

 

[Phoenixxx]

I'm actually searching "can you eat feathers" (my chickens' skin is SO yummy but I can never get all the little feather stumps out without picking for literally hours) and clicked on this thread because my birds are also feather-gobblers.

Because I have a good amount of roosters, a couple months back I started buying broiler grower feed (18-20% protein, I think) in addition to the layer mash. Now, get this: they ALL go for the grower feed first and, though I feed less of the layer, there is ALWAYS layer left over! So, next you're all probably thinking that, with the hens gobbling up all this high-protein, low-calcium stuff that I probably have soft shells... nope! Most of them are so hard they take 3 smashes on the edge of the pan before I can get them open! I don't get it :/

 

[432bullet]

We feed the 18% broiler feed with calcium and grit on the side. We have different age and sizes of chicken so that works the best for us. We tried the layer pellets and the crumbles also, But they like the broiler mash the best. The layer feed is 16% and is a bare minimum under idea conditions in a large commercial type set up.

 

[Phoenixxx]

I've been thinking the same lately, that the layer formulations aren't providing the girls with what they need. (Egg-making takes loads of protein - just ask my muscles!) I can say that, since giving the grower/broiler (we're under snow now so they've no chance in getting yummy bugs) the feather-munching has gone down. Now, feather-picking is for nests, not consumption

 

[Lilyput]

Thanks everybody; I'm a newby, and just got a chicken who ate a couple of loose feathers lying around today.......I figured she'd be dead by morning. At least I'll sleep tonight after reading all your responses. Thanks again.

 

[Chicken man15]

Sometimes it can mean they have a protein deficiency. If it happens a lot you may want to give them some high protein treats, like sunflower seeds, mealworms, or a bit of cat food.

What other types of food can I give them for protein?
certain type of grain?
like Wheat?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Boo71]

One of my Speckled Sussex choked to death on a feather today. From the looks of the others in the coop....she had a fetish for feathers. Funny but the rest seem calmer now.