Cut feathers or pluck them out

[Onyxflock]

I just cleaned up my hen, who had poop matted & dried hard on her butt. It was not coming off some of the feathers close to her skin, so I plucked the worst ones out. She seemed to tolerate that much better than I expected her to. But there are a lot of feathers I couldn't get really clean. Is it o.k. to pluck those out - does it hurt them? Or better to cut them off? I was worried cutting them would give her an irritating "stubble" and cause her more discomfort, since it's where she sits and lays.
Does anyone have experience with either way? She's 8 months old and I believe the feathers would grow back when she molts?

 

[sourland]

Plucking the feathers should hasten the return of 'new' feathering. I think that you did the correct thing.

 

[Onyxflock]

Plucking the feathers should hasten the return of 'new' feathering. I think that you did the correct thing.

Is it very painful to them? She didn't hardly peep. There's another set I'd like to remove.

 

[sourland]

Removing old mature feathers in my experience does not seem to hurt them. Pulling flight feathers, though, does cause some discomfort.

 

[Onyxflock]

You are the bomb! Thanks so much