feather plucking

[eelarol]

I got five laying hens from a friend who was moving. I brought them home in 3 boxes, and the one who was in a box by herself had plucked out her breast feathers by the time I got them home about an hour later. It has been about five weeks since then. It seemed like she was growing them back but then I realized she was getting worse again. The other girls occasionally grab a feather. She seems to pull them out herself too. I am wondering if I should separate her to give her time to heal, or if being alone would just traumatize her? What would you all advise?

 

[eelarol]

somone told me there's a purple goop that you can slather on and it taste's bad and discourages the chickens from pecking there. Does anyone know what that is, and is it fairly natural?
any other ideas?

 

[ChickenSchool]

I have similar pecking issues and the purple goo that I bought is called Rooster Booster Pick-No-More Cover Up Lotion. I don't have roosters... this works with hens too.

In addition to the lotion, we've been giving the hens more free range time and and occasional extra snacks for pecking (i.e. water melon, corn on the cob) to prevent them from further pecking at each other. We are also adding another perch to their coop.

Hope this helps!

 

[eelarol]

Thanks for the advice! And the info! I think I'll add that extra perch.