Feather Plucking (non aggressive)

[shelabobby]

We have 4 Pullets that are very typical behaving. They have a pecking order and they all seem to understand this order and stick to it.

We have one that has a beard (she's a backyard mix so not sure her breed) but the other hens seem to enjoy plucking her beard just under her beak. She doesn't seem to be bothered by it and almost acts like its a spa treatment.

Any clue why this is? I try to interrupt when I see it as she has had blood once in that area.

 

[CCsGarden]

They may see it as extra feathers therefore they want to remove them. I had this problem happen with my Brahmas who had feet feathers. Over time they learned they were going to be that way and stopped attacking them.

 

[shelabobby]

They may see it as extra feathers therefore they want to remove them. I had this problem happen with my Brahmas who had feet feathers. Over time they learned they were going to be that way and stopped attacking them.

Maybe that is it. It doesnt seem to bother her much thankfully

 

[Mrs. K]

Several years ago, I had a couple of hens and a rooster with muffs. Then they were gone. The others really almost preened them, until they were gone. No one seemed unduly stressed, and after they molted, the muffs came back and after a while were gone.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's grooming. Bearded birds seem to get food caught on their face more than non-bearded ones, and the flock will groom them because of it. The feathers will regrow on the next molt, and then the process starts all over.