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Why are my chickens feather pecking?

Practical advice for your flock in Australia.

Chicken Hatchery Australia · Backyard poultry guide

Why are my chickens feather pecking?

Feather pecking can be associated with competition, boredom, stress, diet, parasites or other problems. Inspect the flock, housing and affected skin and separate an injured bird safely if needed. Review usable space, feed access and enrichment. Persistent pecking, bleeding or a hen becoming withdrawn needs veterinary advice and a plan for the whole flock.

Check the whole setup

Review usable space, group compatibility, feeding access, parasites and diet. Protect injured birds from further pecking and ask for veterinary advice about wounds or persistent problems.

Still need help?

Explore our breed and compatibility guides to plan your flock, or use the health checker to find care information. For general questions, visit our contact page.

If your chicken is unwell, contact a poultry-experienced veterinarian promptly.

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