[OpiumEater]

I've just caught Alice picking feathers out of Bernadette and eating them 

As she had lost a lot of feathers herself from treading, and has stopped laying while they re-grow, thought it was probably a protein thing so gave them tuna tonight.  Thank heavens my husband is away, the moaning I would get.

Anyway, despite the fact they loved it big time and polished off half a tin in seconds, I was wondering how much and how often.

Thanks

Christine

[Casey76]

Not too much, not too often 

Too much protein can be stressful for the kidneys, so i would limit hight protein treats to once a week.

Normal layers is about 14-16% protein... if you wanted to increase protein generally to help your girl who is growing her feathers, add an unmedicated turkey or quail starter (about 20% protein).  You can also buy biotin in a lucerne or linseed base at a horse tack shop/feed store, and this will also help to grow the feathers quicker

[OpiumEater]

Thanks Casey76, looks like I was right to give the rest of the tin to my son for his packed lunch today, that was after he questioned me to make sure it had not been pecked by chickens 

I definitely didn't fancy giving them the cat food, so will try the other things you mentioned.

Best wishes

Christine

[otis pony]

Hi, my girls are going thro moult, and one picks feathers.  I have found a tuna cat food sold in Morrisons that doesnt contain any meat derivatives, just fish, called Feline Fayre.  Its sold in pouches, three for a pound, and i'm giving one a week/10 days .  The girls like it and I feel better that they are getting a bit of extra protein, but only time will tell if it works  

[Chrysalis]

Thanks for the advice. I might try it on my black rock who picks her own feathers but not her mates'!

[parson]

Please forgive my ignorance, but I thought you wern't meant to give any animal by products to livstock.

Does that not include chooks?

[OpiumEater]

I'm sure there are reasons for not feeding ground up animals as animal feed to your cattle or sheep etc, but birds will eat meat if found, though it's usually bugs, the odd mice etc.

As tuna isn't usually fed on chickens, I'm happy that my chickens are not eating animal by-products that can harm them. But, might have a google tonight and see if I can find the actual guidelines on animal feed.

I'll let you know what I find out Parson.

Best wishes

Christine

[Casey76]

Parson, you are correct in that if you wanted to sell your eggs, or hens/cockerels for consumption then you shouldn't feed any animal by products, or any feed that has been processed in a kitchen (i.e. scraps)

however if you are only going to eat the eggs/birds yourself (and could guarantee that) then it is really up to you