Help!! Feather Picking :(

[MaBelle]

One of my hens started feather picking when there was an extended and crazy construction project going on in my neighborhood (it lasted for 2-3 weeks). I ended up having to set them up in a crate in my basement during the day where it was more quiet and the ground wasn't shaking (plus had to give all my other animals anti-anxiety meds from the vet!!), then move them into their pen so they can scratch a little before the sun goes down. The city dug up every street in my neighborhood, which literally shook the whole neighborhood for weeks. My poor hens were so stressed. I noticed that Henrietta had started picking the feathers behind her head about a week in. Now, the construction is mostly over (it is at least not near my street, but can still be heard in the distance) and she is still picking. I can list at least 10 different ways I have improved their living situation to help her feel less-stressed, at ease and not bored, but for some reason, she still picks and seems stressed. I am a vet tech and have done a complete physical exam on her. I can find no evidence of lice, fungus or anything else that may cause her to pick/scratch. I have enrichment toys in their pen, a wood pile filled with bugs, an ant hill (lol, which is now gone and there is a huge hole where it once was that she loves to nap in), perches of varying height/angle, you name it. What can I do?? I only have 2 hens and have noticed when MaBelle goes up to lay, Henrietta gets stressed and starts squawking up a storm until I come sit next to her. I am looking for 2 more hens to add to my tiny flock to give her company, but is there anything else I can do??? Please help!! I mean she is adorable with only her little ear tufts sticking out, but having her stressed does the same to me!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Not sure if I understand you correctly, but if Henrietta is missing the feathers then it is most probably MaBelle who is doing the plucking (birds generally pluck other birds). If it has become a habit / way to relieve stress, since you seem to have tried about everything else, at this point I would consider using pinless peepers for awhile until (hopefully) the habit is broken. Do double check that the bird with the missing feathers is not molting, molting often starts at the head/neck.

 

[MaBelle]

Thanks for responding Kelsie! I unfortunately watch her pull them out it's very sad. I'm pretty sure it's not the other chicken, She very well may be molting also (i have noticed some loose feathers about to come out) , which makes it look worse, but she's definitely scratching at her head and pulling them out. The 2 seem to get along very well. As a matter of fact, Henrietta sticks to MaBelle like her shadow. They share food pretty well, always nap together, etc. What are pinless peepers?

 

[Mrs. K]

Is she laying eggs? Are there feathers all over? Or is she eating the feathers?

Molting - loss of feathers, (sometimes it looks like a pillow fight has taken place) and laying stops. Sometimes the wattle and comb become less red and may even look shrunken.

Feather picking - is done to another bird, and can indicate either boredom, stress or lack of enough protein, the guilty bird eats the feathers.

You say that you checked for parasites.

I think it must be molting, add a higher protein feed or cat food, or a little raw meat once in a while to up the protein levels.

Mrs K

 

[MaBelle]

Thanks! I spend a lot of time with my chickens (I now feel bad for all my other animals. I can't help that I love them so much!) and I am fairly certain that MaBelle isn't plucking Henrietta's feathers out. The laying hasn't stopped, but has definitely slowed down. I have also noticed more feathers in the pen, and that both their wattles and combs look more pink, less red and are a little smaller. I haven't noticed MaBelle looking thinner in feathers or seeming to lose them. I do see Henrietta scratch behind her head a lot. I checked through her feathers and didn't see any parasites/evidence of parasites. Should I just treat them for lice to be safe?? Wouldn't MaBelle be itchy too though??