Chick pecking itself. Please help.

[augustwest]

We have 6 chicks that are 12 days old. The smallest one is pecking her own butt- above her tail. She's made it bloody, but it appears to either be a pin feather or that gland thing that's back there (I've seen it on adults- not sure what it's called). They are in a 50 gallon tub, on pine shavings with a red heat lamp. Medicated crumbles. I just added some apple cider vinegar to the water and will give some egg later.

Any other suggestions? She seems bothered by something back there. She'll walk along and then start preening that area like mad.

Thanks!

 

[gritsar]

Is she having normal bowel movements? Does the area around her vent look swollen?

 

[augustwest]

Shes had some feather loss due to pasty butt. She's been less obsessed over the past 2 hours. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Yeah, she may be irritated back there. Hopefully she'll stop as soon as new feathers are well in.