[dennis]

when chickens eat the feathers its a sign of vitamin deficiency does anybody know what the vitamins are

[Casey76]

It's usually a protein deficiency

[dennis]

i read it in a book it was vit deficiency but now can't find it so i can check on the vitamins

[Vecten]

i read it in a book it was vit deficiency but now can't find it so i can check on the vitamins

Trust Google, it's your friend.

http://www.apa-abayouthpoultryclub.org/Edu_Material/Poultry%20Diseases/EXTERNAL%20SYMPTOMS%20FOR%20DIAGNOSING%20POULTRY%20DISEASES.pdf

[Vecten]

High levels of methionine can be found in sesame seeds, Brazil nuts, fish, meats and some other plant seeds; methionine is also found in cereal grains. Most fruits and vegetables contain very little of it. Most legumes are also low in methionine. The complement of cereal (methionine) and legumes (lysine), providing a complete protein,[9] is a classic combination, found throughout the world, such as in rice and beans or tortilla and beans.

Racemic methionine is sometimes added as an ingredient to pet foods.[10]

[rudy]

Mine started off moulting but now it appears they havea taste for it. The only hen who hasn't had any feathers pecked off is Penny, the top dog.
I have started giving them lard cakes I have made from mealworms, lard and corn to see if that helps. As well as spraying them with anti-peck stuff.

They have layers pellets, corn, greens and bread every day.
They have been wormed and have had ACV in the water for a week or so.

i've also tried to make their run more intersting like putting food in wild bird cages and hanging it up so they have to work a bit.

I haven't seen them peck since but then I didn't see them do it before.

[Vecten]

Try cat food, maybe that will take their minds off it.

[GrannieAnnie]

lard isn't good for chickens

[dennis]

my hens are fed on layer pellets grain and free range they also get plent of extra greens ie cabbage, (small amounts )of lettice and a sweed a day also get mealworms once a week what more can i give them to increase the protein they get i thought that would have been sufficient to keep them happy

[dennis]

they are not feather pecking just eating the fethers that drop tp the floor

[rudy]

i read this

 http://ps.fass.org/cgi/reprint/76/12/1641.pdf

although it relates to broilers.

But also an plotholders gives hers lard cakes for the same problem. Not continuously i must add. Wild birds have the same thing.
Why not lard?

[Vecten]

my hens are fed on layer pellets grain and free range they also get plent of extra greens ie cabbage, (small amounts )of lettice and a sweed a day also get mealworms once a week what more can i give them to increase the protein they get i thought that would have been sufficient to keep them happy

Read above, there isn't much protein in veg. Try cat food.

[Lindeggs]

my hens are fed on layer pellets grain and free range they also get plent of extra greens ie cabbage, (small amounts )of lettice and a sweed a day also get mealworms once a week what more can i give them to increase the protein they get i thought that would have been sufficient to keep them happy

Read above, there isn't much protein in veg. Try cat food.

You can also try a wide range of nuts and seeds.  When I was trying to increase my dietary intake of various amino acids (the building blocks of protein) I increased my daily intake of nuts and seeds.  The wider range you eat, the more likely you are to get all the amino acids you need.  I snacked on sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, brazil nuts and macadamias.  I sprinkled sesame seeds and linseed on my food.

P.S. I don't like cat food.