Chickens wing feathers falling out

[my sunwolf]

Yep, find your culprit, that's a very common pecking spot, even more so for young chicks but also for adults. Looks like someone is pulling out her pin feathers before they can get a good start on life.

You will sometimes find that a hen is doing this to herself while preening. In this case, it is usually a protein deficiency or nervousness. Solutions are: higher protein feed (meat, oats, game bird feed or nonmedicated chick starter, etc), more room to run around and scratch (grass, plants, or deep litter helps), more entertainment to distract the flock during the day (seed block, hanging cabbage, etc.).

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

 

[tashpotato]

Well they certainly have plenty on space, but I will try hanging something and giving more protein. Poor girl it's not good in this weather

 

[my sunwolf]

Well they certainly have plenty on space, but I will try hanging something and giving more protein. Poor girl it's not good in this weather

Don't worry too much, she's got plenty of other feathers to keep her warm! And it could be worse, she could have a bald butt

 

[tashpotato]

Lol like my poorly one though she's inside. Has yours?

 

[egghead@1265]

We have a hen we just separted from the others, as we feel she is being attacked. As we don't know if there is an attacker or who it is, we felt safest to take her out of the situation as she has lost so many feathers!

Winter is so long, and between snow, and below zero temperatures the hens are wanting and preferring to stay indoors! Plus, their water freezes if we leave the coop open!

Does anyone know if a hen dies of loneliness? How long does it take for her feathers to return? Should she have a roommate to stay with her, besides the bunnies living in the same shed?

 

[Ohelo Lilikoi]

T

Here are some photos took today - sorry about the lack of quality.
Also, she looks red/sore right behind her comb, or maybe it just looks so because she's so fair?

This looks exactly what one of my hens looks like now. Same exact places that the feathers are broken off. I know this post is a little old but was wondering if u ever found out what was happening with her. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[egghead@1265]

Hens sometimes have a mite or flea problem which can cause pecking. Keeping away from others, if possible to heal... You may want to check if you haven't already. Poultry dust, and areas for them to dust bath...

 

[egghead@1265]

BTW-still have that hen and her feathers grew back quickly! Her tail feathers now look like the rest! However we took her away for about two weeks, as they picked on her so bad! I think they would have killed her! Cruel, I know, and when brought back to flock they saw her as "new," and picked on her a bit, but it settled down. Putting her back in at night is always best, as. Chickens are quieter then.

Pat

 

[Katie911]

My Rhode Island red, Abileen, is starting to molt. She's loosing feathers on her neck, back and some tail feathers. How long do they molt and/or do they lose all their feathers? She's going to be a year in March. Her two coop mates, I guess they could be called, aren't molting yet... Any advice/ info is greatly appreciated.

 

[egghead@1265]

Hello, I apologize as I have been so inactive on here, but yes we have had a similar problem with losing feathers! I am not sure exactly what I shared in this thread and/ or what others have-but any info can be helpful---you just need to sort through what is workable for you and also what seems to best apply in your situation. We have had this several times in different hens over the years, and it isn't always the same situation... Once I took the hen out and put her in her own coop! This was difficult, as she even seemed sad over my choice for her! However, it was the best thing ever in the long run! This sweet hen grew back all of her feathers in about two weeks! She was really losing them, and the others were pecking at her! Not sure why, but regardless of actual reason.... She healed and it didn't happen again to her!
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