Brahma pulling out leg feathers!

[CandiceB]

I have a twelve week old light Brahma. I left to go grocery shopping today and when I came back all of her leg feathers were in the coop and her legs were full of dried blood. I don't know if she was the one pulling them out or if it was one of the other four chickens with her. What is going on? Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[bturbo87]

Is she new to the coop? Have they already established pecking war? Are the others older or younger or the same age? Are there any other feathers missing? Do they have enough space? Before I can really answer your question I would need the answer to my questions. If new to the coop the other will have a pecking war and grab her where they can but I will admit it is strange for all the leg feathers only. But if you have a roost she could have gotten on there to stay away and they attacked from below.

 

[CandiceB]

She is actually a week older than the others. We got all three as babies. We found out that one of the original four was a rooster so we had to give him away a week ago and we brought in a new hen about two weeks younger than the other three. We only have the four hens and they have an inside coop and an outside run both big enough to add a couple more. For some reason though today was the first day they stayed outside in the rain. I was surprised they didn't go in cause they usually do. Do you thing she was trying to clean her muddy feathers and pulled them out herself?

 

[pgpoultry]

I doubt your Brahma pulled out her own leg feathers. I keep Brahmas in Wales and we have plenty of mud. The Brahmas do not seem in the least bit concerned if they get muddy feet and mud (rather than poop) dries and crumbles off so does not mat up the feet.
I think it has to be the others, so it may be best to separate your new hen off for a while until the rest of your chickens get used to her and then only introduce her when things can be supervised,

Good Luck,
Sandie

 

[CandiceB]

My Brahma we call her Kowalski is not the new one. She has been with the others since one day old. I checked on her a couple more times and she is no longer bleeding but I did see one of the other chickens pecking at her feet. Why would they do this if they have been together so long? Could it be because I took out the rooster? I'm new to raising chickens and we have become quite found of our girls. I just wanted to know if it is something I should be concerned about?