I need some advice.
I am 99% certain my favorite hen, a barred rock, is eating feathers. She is the head hen.
I noticed 2 of my girls were loosing feathers on the top part of the tail base. I inspected the areas and didn't see any sign of lice or mites. Decided to wait.
Next I noticed most of my flock is becoming bare around the vent. Again, no signs of insects and the feathers gone. Skin is normal color.
4 do not have this, one is a tiny D'anver so I doubt she is the culprit. Today I heard a screech and my mother said she saw Echo, the Barred rock, pull feathers from one of the D'anvers and eat it.
One of the hens was plucked bad enough that she was bleeding. She is isolated and sprayed with vetricin.
I also isolated the Barred rock.
This morning I was inspecting one of my D'anver and my Black Star stole a feather off her and ate it too!
Has anyone rehabbed a feather eater? The barred rock is my absolute favorite chicken. She is so sweet to me. I don't want to butcher her.
Flock was pinned all winter in 300 sq foot run, 80 sq foot coop. 15 birds, 2 are Muscovy. They have perches and stumps and a dust bath. Eats commercial layer pellets with scratch or greens as treats. They do not free range due to hawks. No roosters.
I ordered some spray to make feathers taste bad and proctect the area. It arrives tomorrow.
Will a few weeks of isolation fix my girl Echo? I could send her to my sister-in-law flock which has 4 roosters for a stay? What can I do. I don't want to kill my girl!
Please help.
I am 99% certain my favorite hen, a barred rock, is eating feathers. She is the head hen.
I noticed 2 of my girls were loosing feathers on the top part of the tail base. I inspected the areas and didn't see any sign of lice or mites. Decided to wait.
Next I noticed most of my flock is becoming bare around the vent. Again, no signs of insects and the feathers gone. Skin is normal color.
4 do not have this, one is a tiny D'anver so I doubt she is the culprit. Today I heard a screech and my mother said she saw Echo, the Barred rock, pull feathers from one of the D'anvers and eat it.
One of the hens was plucked bad enough that she was bleeding. She is isolated and sprayed with vetricin.
I also isolated the Barred rock.
This morning I was inspecting one of my D'anver and my Black Star stole a feather off her and ate it too!
Has anyone rehabbed a feather eater? The barred rock is my absolute favorite chicken. She is so sweet to me. I don't want to butcher her.
Flock was pinned all winter in 300 sq foot run, 80 sq foot coop. 15 birds, 2 are Muscovy. They have perches and stumps and a dust bath. Eats commercial layer pellets with scratch or greens as treats. They do not free range due to hawks. No roosters.
I ordered some spray to make feathers taste bad and proctect the area. It arrives tomorrow.
Will a few weeks of isolation fix my girl Echo? I could send her to my sister-in-law flock which has 4 roosters for a stay? What can I do. I don't want to kill my girl!
Please help.