1st timer with a ?

[hot reels]

I am new to chickens. I have been reading this forum for a while to get the basics of chickens. About three weeks ago we got 6 chicks. 2 buff Orpington pullets, 2 Easter eggers pulleys,1 silkie, and one crested (both straight run) The crested and the silkie are a few days older (less than a week according to the feed store) than the others who were just a few days old when I got them. The crested seems to have some bald/raw looking spots on her (I hope it is a her) head. Is this normal feathers coming in or does this look like somebody is pecking on her. I have not seen much pecking by the others but do not spend hours on end with them either. If it is pecking damage is there something I should do to help her out.

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Thanks for the help getting me ready for this fun hobby.

 

[drumstick diva]

Somebody is plucking her feathers, she couldn't do that to herself. Sometimes silkies and other breeds (like polish etc) draw unwanted attention because they look so different than regular chickens. It would be good to put some blu-kote on her reddened/bald spots, so others don't join in and pluck her some more. The others may be younger but I'm thinking they are probably larger chicks. It would be good to watch them from a hiding place to see who and what goes on behind your back. If it's just one bad guy maybe you can separate it in the brooder or put it in a crate there(with food & water). Sometimes a time out works.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. I agree with D/Diva.

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under hot reels

Welcome!

As you have already received some good advice from Diva, I will just wish you all the best.

If it is someone pecking her, 'Feather Pecking/Eating' was a Topic of the Week and you might find this thread interesting or helpful: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1148824/topic-of-the-week-feather-pecking-eating

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, hot reels, and

! Great to have you in our community! You've already received some solid advice from D'Diva and Teila so I will just say best wishes and thanks for joining BYC!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

MANY times birds with crests are targets for feather plucking. They look different than the others and the first thing the others want to do is go after the crest. Usually crested birds are kept with other crested birds for this reason. You may eventually need to separate this one or get her some crested friends and keep the two groups apart. This member knows a lot about this subject... @Yorkshire Coop

Good luck with your babies and welcome to our roost!

 

[N F C]

It's nice to have you join us!

 

[hot reels]

Thank you for the welcomes and tips. I put the blue on this morning. This evening I saw at least two others pecking at her head. Not necessarily aggressively but still paying it attention. Anything else I should try before I have to isolate her?

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Thank you for the welcomes and tips. I put the blue on this morning. This evening I saw at least two others pecking at her head. Not necessarily aggressively but still paying it attention. Anything else I should try before I have to isolate her?

Hi

Glad you could join us here! I'm afraid crested breeds are a target for feather pecking, especially polish who can have very abundant crests. Your bird looks like a white crested blue polish. I've even experienced feather pecking between the polish on the odd occasion. It often isn't aggressive when it starts but just pure curiosity that can specially occur when the birds are young and the crest isn't tightly packed with feathers yet. The blu Kate can work as in stopping the redness of the crest showing through and if you have caught it before it bleeds that's great. If you do see any blood I would remove the bird straight away as the blood will send the others birds into a frenzy of pecking. Vick decongestant on the crest can also help to reduce pecking or an anti peck spray can sometimes deter them, if applying these you will need to be careful that it does not get into the eyes. I'm afraid if this does not stop the pecking the only option will be to seperate the bird as said above. You could also try tying the crest up but I find this also attracts attention as there is either a bobble or tape there for them to be attracted to.

Good luck with your chicks

 

[hot reels]

The pecking might have gotten better for a day or so, but tonight I saw more missing feathers. I checked and all but one had blue on their beaks. They are currently in a 5'x4' shower stall converted to a brooder box. I have the heat lamp set to 80 degrees (lowering to 75on Friday). I am curious if more room would help. I have a nice 4'x10' tractor that has a 4'x4' coop box on top and 3 3' nesting boxes on it. Fully enclosed with hardware cloth. I live in nw Florida so upper 60's at night and upper 80's during the day are the extremes right now. Would moving them outside possibly help and if so do I need to take the heat lamp outside too? Thanks for all the support.