The present experiment was conducted to identify nonharmful substances suitable for humans and birds which
can be used to keep feather peckers away from the plumage
of other birds. We investigated the consumption of feathers
coated with solutions of natural products (garlic, almond,
clove) different concentrations of quinine, magnesium
chloride, commercial anti-peck spray and “Angostura Bitter”. Coating treatments were not combined. For ethical
and scientific reasons we used a piece of plastic with feathers attached as a model. We used laying hens at the end
of their laying period to test which substances most effectively deterred hens from eating feathers.