Why is
feather cover important? Without feathers, a chicken will not be able to
regulate its temperature, keep protected from sunburn, dust bathe, or preen.
Losing its
feathers can also lead a chicken to experience stress, injury and pain. In some
cases it leads to cannibalism. It will also likely require more feedings and
reduce the productivity levels of your chicken.
How do
chickens lose their feather? One cause of feather loss is injurious feather
pecking. This is distinct from aggressive behaviour. Here, chickens will pull
out each other’s feathers, peck each other’s vents, and cannibalize one
another. Majority of feather loss will likely occur in the chicken’s back and
rump.
This is
abnormal behaviour in chickens and is likely misdirected foraging behaviour. It
could mean that there is disease in the flock or that the chickens are stressed
out.
