first time indoor chicken mom with concerns about feathers

[chibbixchicken]

hi everyone!
i’m a proud owner of a rhode island red hen. she’s my first chicken, as i’m only 21 years old. my girl is five months old, and i only own her because my older sister bought chickens and one was sick with a bad leg, so the others were picking on her. therefore, now i caretake for this one baby to give her a better life. i play with her daily to the point where she’s pretty much like a cat. i’m learning everyday, i read so many articles from here and watch so many youtube videos on chickens so i can give my baby girl the best life i can. i managed to nurse her back to health besides her leg, which unfortunately is permanent according to the vet, but thankfully she’s not in pain and manages to still get around on her own! anyway, i’m concerned about her tail feathers, so i’d really appreciate some advice. i built up the courage and decided to make an account so i could ask for some constructive criticism and advice. she’s an indoor chicken and i physically cannot take her outside at this time since i live up north, and it’s winter, so i’m wondering if this has something to do with her nutrients. does anyone have anything they can tell me about her tail feathers looking like this? i have some photos attached so hopefully someone can help me by telling me what’s wrong (or if this is normal) and offer any solutions. thank you all for your time!

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. How large is the pen/cage that she spends most of her time in? It almost looks like she may be brushing her tail against the enclosure as she turns around.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

I agree with @sourland it looks like she is roughing up her tail feathers on something. Feathers sort of zip or interlock together, and generally birds preen them back in order. However if they get too damaged or broken, they won't zip back together. So give her ample room to turn and move around so she isn't destroying her tail feathers.

Make yourself at home here and feel free to ask as many questions as needed.

Welcome to our community!

 

[chibbixchicken]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. How large is the pen/cage that she spends most of her time in? It almost looks like she may be brushing her tail against the enclosure as she turns around.

quite large, she has plenty of space to hop around whenever i have to put her away, but she does like to lay in the corner of her cage (that’s where i keep mirrors for her). i take her out for a few hours daily to free roam my living space (which i supervise) so honestly it may be the cage like you’re saying! thank you!!! i didn’t even think of that!

 

[chibbixchicken]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

I agree with @sourland it looks like she is roughing up her tail feathers on something. Feathers sort of zip or interlock together, and generally birds preen them back in order. However if they get too damaged or broken, they won't zip back together. So give her ample room to turn and move around so she isn't destroying her tail feathers.

Make yourself at home here and feel free to ask as many questions as needed.

Welcome to our community!

thank you!!! i just replied to another post in which they said the same thing! like i said there, she does like to lay in the corner where i hung a couple of mirrors, so ill try moving those first for a week, and if the problem continues i’ll invest in a bigger space. i want to make life perfect for her, she deserves nothing but the best thank you for your reply!!!

 

[TwoCrows]

thank you!!! i just replied to another post in which they said the same thing! like i said there, she does like to lay in the corner where i hung a couple of mirrors, so ill try moving those first for a week, and if the problem continues i’ll invest in a bigger space. i want to make life perfect for her, she deserves nothing but the best thank you for your reply!!!

Maybe line the inside of the cage corner with cloth or something, something to keep the feathers from falling through the bars. If you gently stroke the feathers along the edges upward, they may zip back up to some degree.

 

[chibbixchicken]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. How large is the pen/cage that she spends most of her time in? It almost looks like she may be brushing her tail against the enclosure as she turns around.

hello! thank you!!! it is very big, she has plenty of room to turn around and explore. i think it’s because she spends her time in the corner where i keep the mirrors attached to the walls. i’m going to try moving the mirrors away from the wall (especially in corners) and see how that goes

 

[chibbixchicken]

Maybe line the inside of the cage corner with cloth or something, something to keep the feathers from falling through the bars. If you gently stroke the feathers along the edges upward, they may zip back up to some degree.

perfect, thank you! i actually have a bunch of old clothes that aren’t good enough to donate, i’ll repurpose them to do that thank you!!! i’m also gently stroking up her feathers and they’re definitely doing better, but not perfect. i’ll be more cautious about my placement of her mirrors/toys from now on! i don’t want to take anything away, she always purrs after she plays around her enclosure and decides to lay down for the day. she’s so cute

 

[tlcmurphy]

Welcome to BYC, and thank you for taking care of her!

Can you perhaps line the pen/crate with card board or something on the inside so her tail doesn’t rub? Doesn’t need to be full height, only as high as her butt

 

[chibbixchicken]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

I agree with @sourland it looks like she is roughing up her tail feathers on something. Feathers sort of zip or interlock together, and generally birds preen them back in order. However if they get too damaged or broken, they won't zip back together. So give her ample room to turn and move around so she isn't destroying her tail feathers.

Make yourself at home here and feel free to ask as many questions as needed.

Welcome to our community!

Hello and welcome to BYC!

I agree with @sourland it looks like she is roughing up her tail feathers on something. Feathers sort of zip or interlock together, and generally birds preen them back in order. However if they get too damaged or broken, they won't zip back together. So give her ample room to turn and move around so she isn't destroying her tail feathers.

Make yourself at home here and feel free to ask as many questions as needed.

Welcome to our community!

thank you!!! i appreciate everyone’s kindness here. she totally has plenty (if not too much) room, she just loves the one corner where i put mirrors against the walls. i’ll invest now in some hanging ones as well as moving those corner mirrors to hopefully discourage her from leaning against the wall, as well as adding cloth like someone said before <3