Feathering in Speckled Sussex

[Sarahh_Janeyy]

Pine tar, bag balm, and nustock cream are in the horse aise at most TSC’s.

Don't mean to sound ungrateful, I really appreciate the advice, this is my first time with chickens so I didn't have these things on hand, and apparently they aren't readily available around me. Just trying to find short term solutions while I don't have the ideal scenario/setup. Lots to learn.

 

[Eggcessive]

I usually try to recommend products that people might already have in the home, especially if they have horses or other animals. Vaseline or a thick ointment would be helpful. Most people experiment. Feather picking can be frustrating. I haven’t had a problem with it before except with my polish chickens head feathers. I try to make sure they have way more room than needed, get outside each day. Keep her separated until she heals a bit and something works.

 

[Eggcessive]

A hen saddle or apron might be good to use. I have made simialr ones from these out of a 7x8 inch polar fleece with 2 wing slits to hold them on:
http://www.linnacresfarm.com/2014/04/how-to-make-simple-hen-saddleapron.html

 

[Sarahh_Janeyy]

I usually try to recommend products that people might already have in the home, especially if they have horses or other animals. Vaseline or a thick ointment would be helpful. Most people experiment. Feather picking can be frustrating. I haven’t had a problem with it before except with my polish chickens head feathers. I try to make sure they have way more room than needed, get outside each day. Keep her separated until she heals a bit and something works.

Like I said, I swear there is some Vaseline around here somewhere... Still looking for it.

They have plenty of room in an outdoor run and their coop is big- according to calculations I found around here they should be fine. I really think it's that she never fully feathered/she was always the slowest one to feather out of all of them- she was last to fly but the first one trying. I read that feathering at different rates can lead to picking. Poor thing is now very bored in my office in a large dog crate. My partner keeps letting her out and cleaning up the poop cus he feels bad for her. She seems way less stressed now, worried about when I have to put her back with the others. She seems kinda lonely, she actually tried to roost next to my arm last night (like I mentioned before, she's not the friendliest of the bunch so it was surprising she really wants to be near us right now).

They've only been stuck inside their coop maybe 3 days since they've been out there (heavy rain) so they definitely get out and about.

Anyone know how long they can be away from their flock before having re-integration problems?

Mom is making a (blue) apron for her. We'll see how that goes.

 

[Eggcessive]

I don’t like to keep my chickens separated for more than 5 days, which is how long it can take to break a broody hen. Usually, I prefer to keep chickens inside the coop, separated in a wire dog crate with food and water secured to the front. You could also take her out for some supervised visits with her flock, but watch that she isn’t pecked.

 

[Sarahh_Janeyy]

Mom made a saddle. Doesn't cover the butt enough though. Not sure how she feels about it.

 

[Sarahh_Janeyy]

Going to try bringing her out to the flock today and see if this helps.

 

[MGG]

Where did you get the speckled Sussex? I just ask because mine from Meyer Hatchery got cannibalized to death. She feathered out incredibly slow too. She never got a tail. She had major issues. She looked exactly like yours with her feathering pattern. I'll try to find some pics of her. She was such a sweet girl.

 

[Sarahh_Janeyy]

Where did you get the speckled Sussex? I just ask because mine from Meyer Hatchery got cannibalized to death. She feathered out incredibly slow too. She never got a tail. She had major issues. She looked exactly like yours with her feathering pattern. I'll try to find some pics of her. She was such a sweet girl.

I got her from My Pet Chicken as a day old with 9 others- mixed breeds. I've been trying to research this slow feathering issue and I can't find anything. Just that it can cause picking problems :/ The Golden Wyandotte was the fastest, all the others feathered roughly the same, except this one which has ALWAYS been slow. :/ I'm so sorry about your baby, that's what I've been worried about. The black astrolorpe seems to be the worst offender at feather picking so far. :/ what do you do if a chicken becomes a cannibal?? Do you have to cull it?

 

[MGG]

I got her from My Pet Chicken as a day old with 9 others- mixed breeds. I've been trying to research this slow feathering issue and I can't find anything. Just that it can cause picking problems :/ The Golden Wyandotte was the fastest, all the others feathered roughly the same, except this one which has ALWAYS been slow. :/ I'm so sorry about your baby, that's what I've been worried about. The black astrolorpe seems to be the worst offender at feather picking so far. :/ what do you do if a chicken becomes a cannibal?? Do you have to cull it?

Does MPC get their birds from Meyers?