I have some 5 week old large cochins that are running around picking feathers out of the other birds and eating them.. They are on an organic feed program with Quick Chick added to their water and they have acess to the yard when it's warm.. Are they bored or missing something from their feed?

Stacy, Usually, it is crowding, boredom, and becomes a bad habit. Rarely do they eat feathers because of lack of anything in their diet. When they are out on grass, it may help, but addition of leafy alfalfa hay when they are confined in their pen, may help. Gives them lots of productive scratching. Do you have a low roost board for some of them to get off the floor and be less crowded? This can help give them more room and they do like to rest and preen on a roost during the day--not where they will later roost at night. CJR

Cjr, Thanks for the info.. this is my first time with chickens and I'm sure I have a TON to learn.. I was hoping that their outside time would take care of the boredom and the crowding situation, but obviously not. I'll try the alfalfa hay but I thought green things had to be fresh (?) There is lots of roosting space which many use but this is also the same place that they roost at night... :-( by the way, how old are they when chilly days (50f) don't bother them? Stacy

Feathers are made of protein.
Try adding some bonemeal to their diet.

They're on an organic feed with 24% protein.. isn't that enough?

Stacy, Protein, 24% is more than adequate. It occured to me that if they are ingesting a lot of feathers and are only 5 weeks old, be sure they have Grit,(their substitute "teeth") so those feathers won't just ball up in their little crops and plug them up! Also, watch them at their little play, and see if it is just one or two that are doing the naughty thing. Removing them for a while, may break the habit. 50f is nice for fully feathered youngsters. In another week or two it should be fine, but keep them in if it rains or you have a cold wind chill. Green leaves of alfalfa are just as good as fresh green feed. But you will have to remove the stems as they will get wet and pack down--and you want to keep your birds DRY. They grow so fast and getting their full plumage is so nice to see! Good Luck. CJR

Thanks for all the info.. it sure is a lot! I've watched them for a while this morning and it seems that there are two of them that sneek up to an unsuspecting coopmate and pluck a feather and they seem to go mostly for the small downy ones.. I'v just separated them and I'm off to my sisters to clep some alfalfa from her barn.. :-0 and CJR, you are so right! they are turning into some beautiful birds and it's been an experience to watch... actually this whole thing has been an experience.