Feather picking

[Patoot]

Okay, I found out the problem. It's not mites or lice. I totally witnessed one of the other chickens pecking her in the exact spot her feathers are missing/broken. She now has a small bald spot that I can see. I worry for her because it rained all day and is now snowing and they are going to bed wet. I hope she won't be chilled. You think she will be okay? It's supposed to be in the 30's tonight. I think I'll go blow her dry.

So I have two slightly older girls who started laying in October and early November. The other two started laying eggs this week. This is exactly when the feather picking started. The two littler ones are laying their eggs in the same spot as the picker and the picker, Matilda, is not happy about this. Every morning she yells when the others beat her to "her" spot.

So I'm leaving for like 10-11 days on Sunday. Am I going to come home to a bald chicken? Should I block off the spot so nobody can fight over it? Only one hen lays in a nest box. The other three lay them in the same spot in some bushes. I can block off the bush, but I don't want them to panic either or get egg bound because they can't find a safe spot for their eggs.

Will this behavior eventually pass? When I saw her do it, it was not very rough and the pickee, Omelet, did not even move away. I don't think she's doing it very hard, but she is picking the feathers.

Help! I don't want a baldy or for her to get chilled/sick while I'm away.

Thanks for the additional help.

Bree

 

[Patoot]

Anyone?

Bree

 

[teach1rusl]

If they've been okay up till now, they'll be okay while you're gone. I would think of ordering an apron or two before you leave so that they'll be here when you get back. A saddle will protect and add a little warmth while waiting for warmer temps this spring (I was going to say until the feathers regrow - but if they're just being clipped off, that won't be until a molt).

 

[7L Farm]

I feel your pain. I caught my rooster picking the hens feathers & feeding them back to the girls. Then the girls started. I put blue kote on the bald spots & found a product called Rooster Booster Pick-No-More Cover-up Lotion. I beleive the lotion leaves a bad taste & the chickens stop picking will see. Good Luck.

 

[True Grit]

I've got the Rooster Booster lotion and it works pretty well but of course when I quit using it they started up again. Ah well,anyway i got it from Randall Burkey online.

 

[7L Farm]

Quote:
I would keep at it.

 

[Patoot]

Thanks. I would do an apron, but they stay outside when it rains or snows (even though they have options to go in the coop or stay under my porch) and I think the apron would only keep them wet and I won't be here to put dry ones on them. I did blow them dry last night. There were 3 eggs in the nest today so maybe they are started to figure out how to share nicely. The first couple days, one (I assume the picker) kicked some out of the nest and that has never happened before.

They have been raised together and have gotten along the whole time so I'm hoping this is just a temporary pecking order thing since the little ones are just now coming 'of age' and interrupting the routine and balance of what's been going on since August.

Thanks guys.

Bree

 

[Patoot]

Well, she now picked her down to the skin and it's bleeding...well, not actively bleeding, but raw. Ugh. Guess I gotta go get some stuff for her. This timing is really bad since I'll be gone for 11 days.


Bree

 

[7L Farm]

Someone suggested to me to up their protein . So I started feeding them fish, eggs, & meat. I also give them Boss. I assume its helped cause I haven't seen them picking feathers lately. Dang chickens everything is going fine & they figure out how to mess it up.