Feathers

[The Chook]

I have 2 hens getting bullied quite severely. One has a bare back and I am thinking about separating them from the others. Should I separate them until they get their feathers back? How long do feathers take to grow back?

 

[Judy]

Ideally, you would identify and separate the "head bully" for a week, outside sight and hearing of the others. this way it will be at the bottom of the pecking order upon return. Sometimes feathers regrow fairly soon and sometimes they won't until after the next molt.

If your birds are getting sunburned, you might consider a saddle for a while. They're not difficult to make, plain or fancy, or you can usually order them in our Buy Sell Trade forum if you wish.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/patterns-chicken-saddles

 

[The Chook]

Thanks.