Chickens pulling out pin feathers

[TheSpiceGirls]

UGH, one or all three of my BO's are pulling out the pin feathers on my Jersey Giant. My JG does an ugly molt and is covered in pin feathers. I just got a good look at her and she's got some totally bare patches that are bloody from the pins being pulled out. I can't have that.

I've read mixed reviews on Blukote but I need to do something to offer her some relief. I can't put a saddle on her. It would hurt too much. Her wings and whole body are covered in pin feathers. But if I sprayed the spots where they are pulling (sprayed w/ Blukote), do you think that would be okay?

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

Well, I just separated her. Gosh I wish I had a divided run for situations like this. I did manage to catch her and sprayed the spot on her back where they were pulling out feathers. I spayed w/ Blukote. But then they just went for the other area. I could her her let out a yelp every time they pulled a pin.

Breaks my heart to isolate her when she's done nothing wrong.

I went back and looked at photos I took of her molting last year and she molts super fast. I think if I can separate her for 7-10 days, that the feathers will begin to open enough that I can put her back w/ the flock. And technically, she's still with them. I just put up some fence panels to keep them separated.

 

[junebuggena]

You may want to try switching to a feed with a higher protein content until they are all done with molting.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

Thanks. I could do that. I have been giving them extra protein every day.

I think they are just curious and that this is a naught behavior. Because they used to pull out the pin feathers on the BO when she molted last month. There was just one tiny section where you could see it them on her chest and the would walk right up and peck her.

My JG is COVERED in pin feathers and I think they look like worms to the other hens.

 

[Haffertee]

Poor birdie.