Feather picking?

[Ahavati]

I have 2 6-month old peafowl. Male and female. A week and a half ago they were moved outside into a pen, from inside my house. It is not ideal but temporary as we are in the process of building them an aviary.

Today I noticed the male is bald on his back between the feathers. I walked off and saw the female pecking his back. What would cause this? It didn't happen while they were in the house at all. What is suggested that I do to remedy this and have him heal?

 

[ChickNanny13]

I don't know peafowl but with chickens feather picking can be several things; stress, lacking protein, bored, etc...
Is he bald or missing feathers, which could mean molt & the bald spot is attracting her attention. She could be stressed with the change of their living arrangement. I've read (chickens) some spray Blu-Kote on the bald spot and there's some kind of bitter spray that can be used.

Hopefully someone can be of more help, sorry.

 

[KsKingBee]

I agree with Chicknanny, The change in environment, boredom, lack of protein or running out of feed, can all lead to picking. Spaulding and greens are naturally worse at picking. Once they draw blood you will need to spray the area with Blu-Kote to protect the chick.

 

[Ahavati]

They are IBs. They have had steady food and I give the mealworms, BSF larva, or crickets. I'm thinking it might be boredom and change of environment...though there isn't anything different as opposed to being in the house concerning boredom. They have double the space now and are outside. When you move his wings out, he is completely bald on his back. I didn't have bluekote but I used some Vetericyn spray and then put some "pick no more" stuff I had for chickens. It's purple looking and supposed to work like bluekote I think. I'm hoping to have their aviary up within a couple weeks. Then they'll have room to fly, scratch around, and explore.

 

[Argus]

Pictures?

 

[Ahavati]

I will get some pics in the morning as it's dark now.

 

[Ahavati]

Here is a pic. Its purple due to the stuff I put on him.

Would one of those chicken saddles work? I hate having to catch him constantly because they are very skittish and I don't want to stress them. I wish they weren't. I've handled them since they were 4 weeks, fed treats etc.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Wow, that's alot of missing feathers! I would think a saddle would work to protect the pin feathers coming out. No broken/injury to his skin, like she's plucking feather, do you see alot laying around? Bored or stressed?

 

[Ahavati]

I see no feathers. I've seen them eat entire feathers when they were inside. Its hard to say they are bored because other than location and space, nothing has changed from them being inside.

I will make him a saddle and out it on. I feel so bad. I know we had some chickens do this when we had to keep them in the coop for a while. So maybe it is boredom because she wants to be on the ground?

 

[ChickNanny13]

If she's eating them, I'm thinking lack of protein. You state "steady food" what kind? Layer, Flock Raiser, All Purpose, Grain?