{"id":102985,"date":"2022-04-22T12:33:14","date_gmt":"2022-04-22T12:33:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-normal-for-chickens-to-eat-feathers\/"},"modified":"2022-04-22T12:33:14","modified_gmt":"2022-04-22T12:33:14","slug":"is-it-normal-for-chickens-to-eat-feathers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-normal-for-chickens-to-eat-feathers\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it normal for chickens to eat feathers?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-normal-for-chickens-to-eat-feathers\/#Is_it_normal_for_chickens_to_eat_feathers\" title=\"Is it normal for chickens to eat feathers?\">Is it normal for chickens to eat feathers?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-normal-for-chickens-to-eat-feathers\/#How_do_you_stop_chickens_from_eating_feathers\" title=\"How do you stop chickens from eating feathers?\">How do you stop chickens from eating feathers?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-normal-for-chickens-to-eat-feathers\/#Why_are_my_chickens_eating_their_own_feathers\" title=\"Why are my chickens eating their own feathers?\">Why are my chickens eating their own feathers?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-normal-for-chickens-to-eat-feathers\/#What_causes_chickens_to_eat_their_feathers\" title=\"What causes chickens to eat their feathers?\">What causes chickens to eat their feathers?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-normal-for-chickens-to-eat-feathers\/#What_causes_chickens_to_eat_feathers\" title=\"What causes chickens to eat feathers?\">What causes chickens to eat feathers?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-normal-for-chickens-to-eat-feathers\/#What_are_chickens_lacking_if_they_eat_feathers\" title=\"What are chickens lacking if they eat feathers?\">What are chickens lacking if they eat feathers?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-normal-for-chickens-to-eat-feathers\/#Why_does_my_chicken_eat_its_own_feathers\" title=\"Why does my chicken eat its own feathers?\">Why does my chicken eat its own feathers?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-normal-for-chickens-to-eat-feathers\/#How_do_I_stop_my_chickens_from_eating_feathers\" title=\"How do I stop my chickens from eating feathers?\">How do I stop my chickens from eating feathers?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-normal-for-chickens-to-eat-feathers\/#Why_do_chickens_peck_out_their_own_feathers\" title=\"Why do chickens peck out their own feathers?\">Why do chickens peck out their own feathers?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-normal-for-chickens-to-eat-feathers\/#What_causes_chicken_to_eat_feathers\" title=\"What causes chicken to eat feathers?\">What causes chicken to eat feathers?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-normal-for-chickens-to-eat-feathers\/#Why_do_chickens_peck_at_their_own_feathers\" title=\"Why do chickens peck at their own feathers?\">Why do chickens peck at their own feathers?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-normal-for-chickens-to-eat-feathers\/#Why_is_my_chicken_eating_her_own_feathers\" title=\"Why is my chicken eating her own feathers?\">Why is my chicken eating her own feathers?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_normal_for_chickens_to_eat_feathers\"><\/span>Is it normal for chickens to eat feathers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Eating their own feathers or pecking other chickens is completely normal behavior. The signs for pecking could be false positives: Sometimes there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. When you see bald patches, redness, and even bleeding, this all can indicate a number of things, not only pecking.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_stop_chickens_from_eating_feathers\"><\/span>How do you stop chickens from eating feathers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Feathers are made of protein, so <b>if a bird is suffering from a protein deficiency they can turn to feather pecking and eating the feathers as a source for much-needed protein.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_are_my_chickens_eating_their_own_feathers\"><\/span>Why are my chickens eating their own feathers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Chickens that are <b>deficient in protein, sodium and\/or other dietary essentials will seek out sources of the lacking nutrient(s) to satisfy their dietary needs. The deficiency can cause a chicken to peck excessively at their own preening gland, the feathers around it and feathers of other birds.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_causes_chickens_to_eat_their_feathers\"><\/span>What causes chickens to eat their feathers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Feathers are made of protein, so <b>if a bird is suffering from a protein deficiency they can turn to feather pecking and eating the feathers as a source for much-needed protein.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_causes_chickens_to_eat_feathers\"><\/span>What causes chickens to eat feathers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Feathers are made of protein, so <b>if a bird is suffering from a protein deficiency they can turn to feather pecking and eating the feathers as a source for much-needed protein.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_chickens_lacking_if_they_eat_feathers\"><\/span>What are chickens lacking if they eat feathers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you catch your chickens eating feathers it might mean that they are <b>lacking protein. When chickens molt we give them extra protein to help them grow new feathers. Thus, hinting at the fact that feathers contain protein.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_my_chicken_eat_its_own_feathers\"><\/span>Why does my chicken eat its own feathers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Feathers are made of protein, so <b>if a bird is suffering from a protein deficiency they can turn to feather pecking and eating the feathers as a source for much-needed protein.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_stop_my_chickens_from_eating_feathers\"><\/span>How do I stop my chickens from eating feathers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you catch your chickens eating feathers it might mean that they are <b>lacking protein. When chickens molt we give them extra protein to help them grow new feathers. Thus, hinting at the fact that feathers contain protein.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_chickens_peck_out_their_own_feathers\"><\/span>Why do chickens peck out their own feathers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Stress such as extreme heat, water or food deprivation and illness can induce moulting. Pecking feathers out by other chickens around the vent or on the back is usually caused by <b>stress, boredom or protein deficiency. Cockerels can damage feathers on a hens back during mating.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_causes_chicken_to_eat_feathers\"><\/span>What causes chicken to eat feathers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Chickens typically will eat feathers <b>as a means of getting more protein, which is likely deficient in the diet. Although, it can also indicate disease, parasitic attacks, or stress resulting from bullying or excessive light.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_chickens_peck_at_their_own_feathers\"><\/span>Why do chickens peck at their own feathers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Eating their own feathers or pecking other chickens is completely normal behavior. The signs for pecking could be false positives: Sometimes there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. When you see bald patches, redness, and even bleeding, this all can indicate a number of things, not only pecking.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_my_chicken_eating_her_own_feathers\"><\/span>Why is my chicken eating her own feathers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Feathers are made of protein, so <b>if a bird is suffering from a protein deficiency they can turn to feather pecking and eating the feathers as a source for much-needed protein.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Is it normal for chickens to eat feathers?How do you stop chickens from eating feathers?Why are my chickens eating their own feathers?What causes chickens to eat their feathers?What causes chickens to eat feathers?What are chickens lacking if they eat feathers?Why does my chicken eat its own feathers?How do I stop my chickens&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-102985","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102985"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=102985"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102985\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=102985"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=102985"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=102985"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}