Bleeding Bertha

[ecocheapomom]

My favorite chicken, Big Bertha, is having a bit of a problem. I just got home and she had blood all over her back. I brought her in and cleaned her up. It looks like the bleeding is coming from a broken off feather. Could that be from the cold or is it the others chickens that have been pecking at her? She is definitely at the bottom rung of the pecking order and has been losing feathers on her back end for a while. So I have put her in a dog crate in the garage with same straw and food/water. Will she be OK on her own and how long should I keep her seperated?
Also, Betha and some of the others with large combs are starting to get discoloration on their combs although I have already put vaseline on them. Should I be worried and what will happen?
Advice would be greatly appreciated. Our first winter with the girls and I am fretting! Thanks!

 

[horsejody]

Don't put her back with the others until she is completely healed and ther is no blood. If you think she is being picked on, separate her and one other quiet hen away from the flock for a few days. Then reintroduce them both a few days later by putting them on the roost at night. If she is still getting picked on, see if you can spot who the ring leader is and remove the ring leader for a few days. If you don't have a rooster, consider getting one. They stop a lot of the squabbling. Also, make sure that your birds have a lot of room. Crowded and bored chickens pick at eachother.

 

[ecocheapomom]

Thanks Horsejody. Does a dog crate in the garage seem like an OK place to seperate her? There is no roost, but during the day I think I will put her in the big baby play yard that I used when they were chicks. I'll put the other low rung and quiet lady in with her tomorrow. Should I assume it was the other chickens that made her bleed? I didn't know feathers could bleed like that.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
It should do for now.