CHICKEN TALK | Feather Picking
Feather pecking rarely occurs in the wild. Unfortunately, feather pecking is quite common in animal husbandry. In this blog, we would like to tell you more about feather pecking, the environmental factors, and also the genetic predisposition for feather pecking.
Chicken talk
31 March '23 • 2 min reading time
What is actually the cause of feather pecking?
There are actually several factors that lead to feather pecking. These include environmental factors, but also worms, deficiencies, or necrotic enteritis. Additionally, genetic predisposition is also determining. There are clear differences between 'calm' and 'nervous' breeds. Nervous breeds include Leghorns, Frisian hens, and also Australorps. Bantam breeds are also known to be somewhat more restless. The Wyandotte, the North Holland Blue, and the Cochin are breeds that are somewhat calmer. There are various causes: Deficiencies in vitamins in the diet, Deficiencies in minerals in the diet, Blood mite infestation, Deficiencies mainly in animal proteins in the diet, Conditions of the intestinal wall due to diseases such as coccidiosis or worm infections, Deficiencies in grit for digestion in the stomach, Stress due to lack of stimulation, boredom in the coop, or too many chickens in the coops, Incorrect lighting.
How can you prevent feather pecking?
You can start by adding extra fish meal, whey powder, or dog or cat food to the poultry feed. It may also be possible that they have a deficiency in calcium and phosphate. This can be resolved by providing extra limestone or shell grit. To minimize boredom, you can regularly give them some grains or other food such as vegetables, fruits, seeds, etc. In the afternoon, chickens naturally search for food. This can increase pecking behavior around noon. You can also provide some roughage like alfalfa, a limestone block, or a mineral lick stone. This provides distraction, causing the roosters to mate more often, which will increase the number of fertilized eggs. It is important to ensure a good climate without pests and a proper lighting schedule. Pecking is seen as natural behavior for establishing hierarchy. Usually, this is hardly harmful to the chickens themselves. If you choose to introduce a new chicken or one of a different color, feather pecking can sometimes get out of hand. The victim is then driven into a corner and continuously pecked on the head. The chicken gives in with all the consequences that follow. Severe injuries to the head followed by blood and loose skin parts can occur. This can then lead to cannibalism. During mating, hens are pecked by the rooster on the neck to get a better grip. Many feathers are lost in the process.
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