3 wk old buff chick picking at her own feathers down to the skin.

[VentiCordi]

Hi, This morning one of our buff orpington chicks (just shy of 3 weeks) was chirping her head off and pecking at herself, Going in to check we saw the other 5 chicks were pecking at her as well. We isolated her and put betadine and vaseline over the wounded area. The photo is from behind and the affected area is on her body, more visible when you lift her wing up. There's no blood but it's more raw than the photo shows. Any suggestions for best practices to help heal our poor buff? This sudden change of behavior has us puzzled. All 6 have been healthy and happy till this morning. Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Smearing some blue food dye on the wound will deter further picking.

 

[VentiCordi]

Smearing some blue food dye on the wound will deter further picking.

Thank you. No food dye on hand but we smear a little Blue Kote on.