Why do chickens peck each other's feathers: what to do and what birds lack

The reasons why chickens peck each other's feathers are different. The arrangement of a comfortable, clean house for living, sufficient lighting and a comfortable temperature will help to avoid this unpleasant phenomenon. Such actions may be the result of infection with parasites. Seasonal molting makes the chicken want to pinch its neighbor. It is important to determine in a timely manner what causes such bird behavior and eliminate negative impacts.

Why do chickens peck each other's feathers

This behavior of poultry is called pterophagy. The desire to pluck feathers from other chickens may appear when the following conditions occur:

1. Molt.
2. Incorrect containment procedures.
3. Unbalanced feeding ration.
4. Stress.
5. The appearance of new individuals in the flock.
6. Some other influences.

These moments deserve more detail.

Diagnosis and elimination of causes

Let's dwell on the main causes of the phenomenon.

Food

Incorrectly chosen diet for feeding chickens, the lack of essential nutrients in poultry feed can cause feather pulling. If the diet is lacking in protein, it can be replenished from a feather that contains it. The use of only grain feed causes a lack of amino acids containing sulfur, while vitamin deficiency appears.

The content of mycotoxins in feed causes diarrhea and inflammation of the anus. When chickens eat feathers, they make up for the lack of micronutrients in their food.

Excess protein is also undesirable. It leads to a violation of the acid-base balance. In this case, an incorrect exchange of phosphorus and potassium occurs, vitamin A is destroyed.

Chicken nutrition problems are solved as follows:

• protein content is increased by the addition of meat and bone and fish meal, cottage cheese, worms;
• add 0.1 grams of sulfur for each bird when shedding;
• apply 15 grams of methionine per 10 kilograms of feed;
• laying hens are given 0.5 grams of table s alt;
• Egg shells, shell rock, pebbles are introduced from minerals into feed.

Only by providing rational feeding, you can get rid of pterophagia.

Lighting

The number of eggs laid depends on the length of daylight hours. But daylight hours cannot be increased indefinitely. This disorientates the chickens, causing them to become tired, irritated and, as a result, stressed and aggressive. Too bright light in the chicken coop is also not allowed.

For a comfortable content, the following conditions are needed:

• the optimal duration of the light period is 14 hours;
• make nests in nooks and crannies;
• with artificial lighting, the power of the lamps should not exceed 40 watts per 4 square meters of area.

These conditions will be close to natural and will create comfort for poultry.

Crowded content

With a large number of individuals in a limited space, fights always occur between them. Especially often this happens when there are not enough feeders. Fighting in close quarters for food, chickens will peck each other, pulling out feathers.

Remember that crowded content causes stress, illness, weight loss and reduced egg production.

Even if the chickens are in the coop only at night or in bad weather, for comfort it is necessary to place no more than 5 adults per 1 square meter.Chickens under the age of one month can be kept together in 20 pieces, up to 3 months - 15, from 3 to 6 months - 9 chickens. These birds do not like large flocks, a group of 20 units is the most optimal.

When installing a drinker, its length is made at the rate of 2 centimeters per head, and for a feeder - 10. In winter, it is necessary to walk chickens in a paddock or a fenced yard.

Microclimate in the chicken coop

Indoor air conditions, temperature and humidity affect the mood of chickens and their behavior. A dry atmosphere with dust particles dries out the pen and makes it brittle. The body secretes a secret for hydration. The smell of the secret attracts the attention of the neighbors, causes them an attack of cannibalism.

An uncleaned room where the bird is kept, the lack of clean bedding, dirt and the smell of ammonia irritate chickens and cause them aggression. They begin to pluck each other's feathers and peck at each other, making matters worse.

To create a favorable atmosphere in the chicken coop, you need to ensure its ventilation, which purifies the air and prevents dampness. It is necessary to constantly change the litter, monitor its cleanliness, and prevent it from getting wet. Dry hot air is humidified by spraying water from a hose in a small jet indoors.

Moulting

Moulting is a natural process of changing plumage. It occurs in the fall, duration - 4-5 months. At this time, chickens do not lay eggs, they have an imbalance in the body, a nutritional deficiency appears. The behavior of the chicken changes, aggression and a desire to tear out feathers from relatives appear.

To prevent this from happening, they provide good nutrition for the birds, add protein and vitamins to the feed, organize walks and free accommodation. It is useful to use drugs such as Methionine (3 grams per 1 kilogram of food), fish oil (100 grams per kilogram of food).Preparations Vitvod, Chiktonik strengthen the nervous and immune systems, include vitamins A, D3, E. They are used in injections or added to food.

Arrival of new individuals in the herd

When adding new chickens to an already established community, socialization of newcomers is required. This is not an easy process, as the old-timers are not always hospitable. They attack new arrivals. Most often, one, the most cocky individual starts, setting an example for others.

In this case, watch the flock carefully. The most aggressive chicken is caged, allowing new members to settle in.

It is important not to exceed the size of the community more than 20-30 individuals, to provide them with food and useful space.

Stress

Stress can be caused by:

1. Increased temperature in the chicken coop.
2. Change in diet.
3. Transfer to another herd or house.
4. Presence of strangers.

These factors cause aggression, chickens begin to pluck each other's feathers. It is important not to disturb the habitual way of life of birds, to follow the rules for their rearing.

Ectoparasites

Common parasites for chickens are:

• pincers;
• lice;
• breaks.

They suck blood, irritate the skin. Chickens become restless, aggressive, itch, tear out feathers to neighboring individuals, peck them until they bleed. To avoid parasite infestation, do the following:

• timely clean the chicken coop from dirt, droppings, contaminated bedding;
• periodically spray walls and floors with disinfectants;
• Chickens are regularly inspected and, when pests appear, they are treated.

Sick bird is quarantined.

What to do with the affected chicken

Birds affected by pterophagy are placed in a separate room. Minor damage is treated with a solution of hydrogen peroxide or furacilin. Large wounds are smeared with brilliant green, ointments: Synthomycin, Tetracycline, Levomekol.

Improve nutrition by increasing the dose of protein and vitamins. Return the individual after a full recovery. At the same time, they monitor the behavior of chickens in a flock so that the attacks do not happen again.

Prevention measures

It is possible to avoid such a phenomenon as pterophagy by organizing the conditions for keeping chickens, observing sanitary standards, proper diet, timely removal of sick and aggressive individuals.

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