One of my little week old Tetra Tints was being chased around the brooder yesterday, upon removing her, and close inspection, it seems a few of her tail feathers have somehow got broken and were bleeding. We cleaned her up and put neosporin on her broken feathers and around where the others had been picking at her. Since then we put her in a small carrier with food, water, her own heat lamp, and keeping a close eye on her. My questions are: How long to keep her separated? Do I need to do anything else to help her heal? Will her feathers grow back or will she have a bald spot? Will they pick on her when I put her back in with the others? (Restart the pecking order) On a side note, in the last 24 hrs she has really become quiet spoiled. She gets let out of the carrier quiet often to sit on our hands and sometimes will even sit on our shoulders. I don't think she is afraid of us anymore. Thanks in advance for any help!!
you can put some baking soda or flour on her tail feathers to keep from bleeding and I'd wait a couple hours then put her back in and see what happens. She'll probably be pecked at a little bit just out of curiosity, but they should then leave her alone. If they're attacking her, then separate her for another 24-48 hours. Her tail feathers will probably grow back, so you shouldn't have to worry about that.
Hello, I'm no expert but I have heard that when your chicken's (or chick's, in this case) feathers are broken, you need to pull them out, because it is just like a funnel to their bloodstream and it can become infected. As long as she isn't bleeding, when you are finished whatever treatment is desired, you can put her back with the others. Her feathers will grow back fine! You stated that she was only a week old, so she will exchange feathers between now and adulthood. I'm sure that others will be fine with her coming back... Somethimes they just playfight from boredom and sometimes, accidentally hurt a hatch mate. Just wondering, is there a reason that you were worried that she isn't afraid of you? I think that having friendly chickens is a good thing!
If it's bleeding, you literally need to pull it out. This is a well known occurance with parrots. My cockatiel broke one of her bloodfeathers, and it doesn't really stop bleeding... You gotta pin the bird down gently, and get a grip on the feather with pliers.... and then pull out really slowly. The bird will not like it, but you will be saving them from blood loss and/or infection.
Thank you all for your replies! My little chick (now named Peep-Peep) has rejoined her fellow feathered friends in the basement brooder as of today. She is doing much better and the advice from each of you helped a lot! Thank you all! Mychookschick I wasn't worried that she wasn't afraid of us, it just shocked me that she took to us so quickly. In a matter of hours she was hanging out on our shoulders, sitting on our hands, and would fuss when we would put her back in the carrier. Now it seems all the chicks are more willing to let us hold them, which thrills me as I want them as much for pets as for eggs. Thanks again for everyones help! I love this site and forum!
Thank you! I'm keeping a close eye on her, and frequently run to the basement to make sure she is alright and the others aren't picking on her.
