Chicken rips out other chicken's feathers?

[XChickenCrossingX]

I noticed that a small chicken of mine had feathers ripped out of it's neck, this may be caused by bullying. What should I do? Separate her from the flock?

 

[junebuggena]

Could it be molt?

 

[Peter.J]

Go to the feed store and get some ‘wound kote’, usually in the horse section. Spray it on the skin where the feathers are missing and they won’t peck that area anymore. It looks like purple spray paint.

 

[sylviethecochin]

X2

If you do have a pecker, try adding some distractions to your pen over the bring winter months (mine like a seed block, and since they're not laying anyway...) and see about getting a higher-protein feed. Feathers contain and therefore provide a lot of protein, and your pecker could be craving it.

She could also be an unrepentant bully, in which case you should either see about changing the flock situation (getting a roo, moving her out for a week so that she's at the bottom of the pecking order when she comes back, making nice, hot broth to warm you on a cold winter's day)

 

[aart]

I noticed that a small chicken of mine had feathers ripped out of it's neck, this may be caused by bullying. What should I do? Separate her from the flock?

Could it be molt?

x2

Did you see the feather get ripped out?
More info needed:
your flock size(numbers, ages, genders),
your coop(size in feet by feet with pics),
and what and how exactly you are feeding,
might offer clues to if there is a solvable problem.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Do you have a Rooster? They can pull out neck feathers when they mate.
They can have a favorite hen. GC

 

[JaeG]

A dominant hen can also mount other hens in a display of dominance, pulling out neck/head feathers. I have a tiny OEGB hen who will do that to my bantam Wyandottes (who are twice her size).

 

[XChickenCrossingX]

x2

Did you see the feather get ripped out?
More info needed:
your flock size(numbers, ages, genders),
your coop(size in feet by feet with pics),
and what and how exactly you are feeding,
might offer clues to if there is a solvable problem.

didnt see the feathers get ripped out, but theres still the "stem" of the feathers

 

[XChickenCrossingX]

Do you have a Rooster? They can pull out neck feathers when they mate.
They can have a favorite hen. GC

yes i have a rooster and i seen them mate before

 

[nightowl223]

Go to the feed store and get some ‘wound kote’, usually in the horse section. Spray it on the skin where the feathers are missing and they won’t peck that area anymore. It looks like purple spray paint.

There is a version that is not spray - it comes in a small jar and has a dauber attached to the inside of the lid. I would highly recommend using it instead of the spray. Aerosols are often very dangerous for birds. With the liquid, you dont take the chance.