Fighting or illness?

[athenasnow]

Hi,

One of my hens has really ratty tail feathers. Don't see anything like it on any of the others. Could this be from getting picked on or something else? She doesn't have any other issues- eats fine and is active. She isn't always the brightest bulb in the flock though. Is she just clumsy or doesn't really know her place in the pecking order?

Thanks!

 

[birdsrfun]

She could be getting pecked. How does the rest of her look? Are you finding feathers all over the place? If it’s a molt, then there may be a nutrition or hydration issue, or stress. Molts are usually end of summer.

 

[Featherballs]

Those don't look awful but it's probably being pecked at, those look like beak marks, or she puts her butt against the hardware cloth. Try to keep an eye on her from a distance to see if she's being picked on or not, if your unsure you can separate her and see if it stops. How old your flock is, weather or not this one is introduced or raised together, or illness (causing others to peck and shun her) are all factors as well.

 

[athenasnow]

They do seem to be having a bit of a molt. They're three months old and adult feathers are still coming in. She does seem to be towards the bottom of the pecking order. So it's definitely possible she's getting picked on.