If you use sand in your coop, here’s the best sifter on the market!
The Sand Dipper (Mid-AdjustableModel) has a long handle that can be adjusted from 34″ to 64″, making it easy to clean the coop. It’s lightweight, has a comfortable cork-rubber handle, and a stainless steel basket. The holes in the basket are the perfect size to let sand, including quarter-minus gravel fall through. I have a couple of tiny Mille Fleur chickens among the flock, and this sifter works great for cleaning up their small droppings too. I couldn’t be happier with this purchase. 🙂 You’ll find the Sand Dipper on Amazon for $36.00, worth every penny.
Possible Reasons For This Problem & What To Do About It
Feather picking in chickens is a behavior where birds peck at and pull out feathers from themselves or other birds. This can range from minor feather damage to baldness and, in severe cases, injury. Why do chickens engage in this behavior? There are several reasons to consider, so let’s take a look at the most common ones and see if we can get to the bottom of this problem. FYI: Written by a real chicken keeper, not AI. 🙂
Common Causes
Nutritional Deficiency:
Protein Deficiency: Chickens may pick feathers if their diet lacks adequate protein, as feathers are a source of keratin, a protein. Mineral Imbalances: Deficiencies or imbalances in minerals like sodium or calcium can also trigger feather picking. Note: Just because the feed bag or retailer claims it is a high-quality, healthy feed doesn’t mean it is. Switch it up by buying different name-brand feed and supplementing with fresh foods such as fruits, greens, eggs, grains, and meat. Remember this the next time you consider throwing away your table scraps. If deficiencies are suspected, especially during molting when feather growth demands more nutrients, consider adding nutritional supplements. Ensure chickens are receiving a balanced diet with the right levels of protein (16-20%, depending on their stage) and minerals.
Stress / Common Causes:
Overcrowding: When too many birds are kept in a small space, stress and competition for resources can lead to feather picking. Ensure that chickens have enough space to move freely. The recommended space is about 2-3 square feet per bird inside the coop and 8-10 square feet per bird in the outdoor run. Boredom or Lack of Enrichment: Chickens need mental and physical stimulation, which is especially important for confined birds. Boredom can drive them to feather pick as a way to occupy themselves. What to do:Chickens are curious, so add things that are new and different. They are also foragers, so give them the opportunity to scratch around the coop looking for treats. Provide perches, dust baths, and items like hanging vegetables or toys to keep chickens occupied and reduce boredom.
Comfort
Birds living in an uncomfortable environment, such as too hot or cold. Especially too hot. You can learn about how to manage your flock in the heat HERE.
Hierarchical Behavior:
Dominance: Chickens establish a pecking order, and feather picking can be a way for dominant birds to assert control over others. To ensure a stable and peaceful flock, avoid introducing new birds abruptly and manage the flock size appropriately. Friendly advice: If certain birds are persistently picking feathers, identify the aggressors. They may need to be separated from the flock temporarily or permanently. Why? Because intervention is key to preventing the behavior from becoming a chronic issue.
Health Issues:
Parasites: External parasites like mites or lice can cause irritation, leading chickens to pick at their feathers. Regularly check for and treat external parasites. Dust baths can help in natural parasite control.
One More Thing…
Keep in mind that chickens lose feathers for other reasons which are completely normal, such as: Molting, which can happen at least once a year, sometimes more. A good egg producer can have poor feather growth because all her energy is busy making eggs for you. Broody hens often pull out their own feathers when nesting.
There have been many coop improvements made over the winter. The coop was once an open-sided covered corral for horses that I had professionally enclosed with heavy-grade hardware cloth – more about that build HERE. The desert doesn’t offer many options for lush greenery, but I managed to find bushes native to the desert southwest and planted three of them in front of the barn for a little color and hopefully some shade when they mature. I have a giant drum fan to help move the air in the coop, and it’s suitable for normal summer heat, but Phoenix doesn’t have normal heat; we have to keep chickens alive in 115+ temps, which is nearly impossible without human intervention. Usually, that means a mist system of some sort, along with fans, ice, and whatever else might offer them some relief. In other words, everything needed to keep chickens alive in these ridiculous high temps is a giant inconvenience and one I was determined to somewhat avoid this summer. Here’s what I came up with… I bit the bullet and bought an evaporative cooler large enough to cool the coop area. I also bought 10 lb. feeders and scattered them in different areas of the coop to help minimize feeding chores. Daily farm chores now are basically watering and clean-up. Even my clean-up chores are easier now since I ditched the pine shavings and switched to sand. If you want to know more about sand vs. shavings, all the information is in a previous article HERE. Purchasing an evaporative cooler is a double win-win scenario: it benefits the chickens by providing a more comfortable environment, and let’s be honest, it’s a relief for me as well. Working in scorching temperatures I definitely won’t miss.
About The Evap. Cooler… Portacool 2000-CFM 2-Speed Outdoor Evaporative Cooler
What’s an evaporative cooler? It produces cool air wherever needed, such as a backyard patio, garage, barn, or workshop. Evaporative coolers are most effective in dry climates where humidity levels are low. They can be an energy-efficient and cost-effective cooling solution compared to traditional air conditioning systems, as they consume less electricity. You can learn more about this evap. cooler or check out the large selection of different models available at Lowe’s.
There are many ways to help your chickens survive the heat of summer. Luckily, in most parts of the country, this isn’t a big concern. However, if you are a desert dweller and have chickens, you’ll find a wealth of information in this article on how to manage them in hot weather.
TBN Ranch Chicken Keeping Resources 