Emergency! Chicken pulling her own feathers out

[metiqmccann]

Hi Folks! I am in dire need of suggestions and or help! I have a 1 year old silver laced Wyandotte who has been pulling her own feathers out. She was attacked by some critter about 4 months ago and was left pretty helpless. she had a strained neck and could barely move for days. I nursed her back to good health and she is now doing great except for she has lost the feathers on her back and spots on her wings. I have been keeping a close eye on her and she seems to be doing it to herself. I have contemplated making her a jacket or cape so she cant pull them out but I would love other suggestions! Help please!!!!!!!!

 

[FrenchHen]

could she be going broody?

 

[metiqmccann]

I dont think she is going broody, she hasnt been sitting on their nest, she gets up and spends her day wandering around the yard with her three chicken friends. I am starting to feed them more calcium rich foods to see if this will help. Today I tried scrambled eggs which they all were very excited for! She seems to get starting feathers on her back and wings and after about a day or two she has pulled them out. She had these bald spot and she has really rough wing feathers that she seems to be chewing the tips off of. She seems happy otherwise and enjoys her day and is laying an egg everyday. I just feel horrible for her and wish I could help her grow her feathers back

 

[Lollipop]

metiqmccann, dunno if you are aware of it or not, but feathers are mostly protein. Not sure of the actual percentage, but it could be your girl is in need of some protein causing her to eat her feathers. For a quick fix, a few morsels of cheap dry catfood a couple times a week may help. You can also give her a boiled egg crushed up. Good luck.........Pop

 

[metiqmccann]

Thanks for the helpful ideas! Ill try the egg and cat food trick for sure !