Chicken losing lots of feathers and looks sore!

[bernaboo123]

We have eight Rhode Island Red hens and one of them has had prolapse problems in the past that come and go and now she is losing feathers all over her wings and a lot on her chest. I don't think she is molting - she is not a year old yet. Our chickens did free range during the day but we had to stop that when a fox took one our chickens last month. They are now in a protected run area. I am wondering if they are bored and are picking on this poor chicken. Any ideas on what we can do for her?

 

[tammye]

you can try to entertain the hens a bit, I use a bail of hay in the winter for them to kick through, In the spring and summer put you mower clippings in the pen for them to eat and any weeds you pull or veggies from the graden that are not prfect. You can try pinless peepers on the feather plucker and increase the protein content of their diet, I use BOSS. Set up two feed and water stations so the weak hens have a better chance to get food, that may help the plucking too.

 

[TheReadyBoys]

Yes they could be pecking that hen. Also, does that hen spend a lot of time in the run, or in the coop? Maybe she isn't getting enough sunlight, which I doubt.