Easter Egger's beard feathers being plucked

[smiddendorff]

I have a poor chicken that is getting her beard feathers plucked only after she drinks water. I have put the culprit in isolation, but I am not sure why it's happening. Plus my EE just sits there letting it happen! I've read about it being from boredom, but they free range all day. So I am not sure that is the reason. Help please. This is the second time that I have had to isolate this "bully". How do I stop it?
Thank you for any insights that could help stop this behavior!

 

[mirandaleecon]

I have a poor chicken that is getting her beard feathers plucked only after she drinks water. I have put the culprit in isolation, but I am not sure why it's happening. Plus my EE just sits there letting it happen! I've read about it being from boredom, but they free range all day. So I am not sure that is the reason. Help please. This is the second time that I have had to isolate this "bully". How do I stop it?
Thank you for any insights that could help stop this behavior!

The "bully" is probably not actually bullying her. The thing about beards, they are great food and water catchers, and hens love to pick at anything that's out of place. I've noticed this with my Ameracaunas. Mine just don't get so rough that the feathers get pulled out.
Maybe you could try trimming her beard so that it doesn't get stuff caught in it for the others to pick at...

 

[Eggcessive]

I probably would ignore it. I have quite a few Ameraucanas and several easter eggers, and there are a few that always have a plucked beard. I think with mine is that the more meek or low pecking order they are, this tends to happen. It's almost like they invite the attention, and they do it while they are sitting on the roost. My 3 faverolles that live in their own coop and yard also do this--one hen has a plucked beard, while the other's don't. It's nice to have perfect looking chickens, but I have given up, LOL. Mine don't peck other feathers, just the beards.

 

[smiddendorff]

I guess I will just have to come to terms with it, LOL. Bertha (the plucker) doesn't seem to be hurting Zita (the pluckee) which is good. I'll just continue to keep an eye on them. Thanks!

 

[enola]

I use hen peepers for this sort of problem.

 

[mirandaleecon]

I use hen peepers for this sort of problem.

that seems a bit extreme at this point. If she was harrassing several chickens and drawing blood, maybe, but it doesn't sound that bad at all right now...

 

[enola]

There is nothing extreme about using hen peepers. I was assuming the OP was looking for a way to stop the feather picking.
If you are offended, I am sorry.

Have you ever seen hen peepers used?

 

[mirandaleecon]

There is nothing extreme about using hen peepers. I was assuming the OP was looking for a way to stop the feather picking.
If you are offended, I am sorry.

Have you ever seen hen peepers used?

oh I wasn't offended, just don't think it's necessary for this situation...

 

[laurianne]

Of the picked on hens, have the beards grown back or do the new feathers get picked as they are trying to grow in?