Broken Tail Feathers

[Paul Martinello]

Hi all, I’m a newbie, so I hope someone can advise.
I have three Wyandotte hens, and I’ve noticed on the smallest one that she has broken tail feathers. She’s definitely at the bottom of the pecking order, but I’ve never seen the other two birds give her anything more than a gentle peck at feeding time. I’ve read that this might be a housing issue, is it possible that she’s getting bullied in the coop overnight?
She also had a bad mite infestation recently, but I’m confident I’m on top of that now. Could this be related? She has maybe 10 tailfeathers that are snapped in half, approximately. I’ve checked her hind, there is no bleeding or evidence of trauma. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers

Paul

 

[aart]

They do look like they are 'cut' off.
Hard to say if they were bitten off by her flock mates,
or are/were 'weak' and broken by rubbing on something(like the wall behind the roost).
I doubt it's from the mites.

 

[Paul Martinello]

Thanks for the response. Suggested course of action? If any.

 

[aart]

Thanks for the response. Suggested course of action? If any.

Look at space and nutrition.
Crowded birds get crabby.
When I see feather eating I give some animal protein...
.....mealworms, meat scraps, fish canned in water, scrambled eggs, are some choices.
Cat food can work too.

 

[TexasSam]

She is being pecked try hanging a head of lettuce or go to the feed store and get a pecking block

 

[Paul Martinello]

Thanks for the advice guys

 

[Paul Martinello]

Any ideas if/when these feathers will rejuvenate? Will I have to wait until her next molt for her to look whole again?

 

[aart]

Yep, you'll have to wait.
A broken feather will not be replaced until the next molt.
A fully plucked feather will start to regrow immediately.
How old is she?

Most folks have a few birds with less than pristine plumage in their flock.

 

[Paul Martinello]

1 year old I’m told

 

[aart]

1 year old I’m told

If you're in the northern hemisphere, she might molt yet this year.
Putting your location in your profile is easy, and then it's always there!