Feather Pulling Problems

[blue_hydrangea_homestead]

I am in a dilemma. I have 14 hens and one has been pulling feathers out of all my other hens’ necks (most of my chickens are EEs so they’re ugly without their beards and muffs )

Long story short, she has done this before and we’ve put blinders on her twice. This most recent time she wore them for so long I was sure she wouldn’t go back at it… wrong. Next day and she’s doing it again.

I really hate to get rid of her but I really don’t know how else to break her of this habit. My whole flock is suffering from it. But she’s my little sisters chicken and she’s going to be devastated if I give her to another chicken keeper. Is there anything else at all that I can do to break her habit?

 

[fldiver97]

Feather picking is often caused by one of these factors:
Boredom
Not enough coop and/or run space
Lack of protein

If you feed layer feed (16%protein usually) you can switch to all flock feed (20% protein usually but contains less calcium so make sure you have crushed oyster shells or flakes in a separate container at all times).
If you give treats or table scraps do so only sparingly if at all . Green leafy vegetables are usually ok if they don’t free range.
If only one bird pulls feathers you can separate her with some fencing or put her in a wire dog crate for a few days, let her see the flock but not touch. It may help to ‘adjust’ her behavior in the flock. You still need to make sure that the flock has enough protein in their feed. You also need enough space for them. Mine have a large coop and run, adequate space for them for the time they can’t free range. I still provide enrichment in the coop like old stumps and branches to jump/sit on, multiple feed and water containers, a chicken swing, dust bath areas, the occasional cabbage on a string or a couple of suet cages stuffed with leafy greens etc.
I hope some or all of these suggestions help

 

[Ridgerunner]

The only thing I can think of, other than leaving her permanently with the blinders, is to isolate her for a week or so away from the flock. I've had limited success changing behaviors doing this. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.