help! not sure if hen is molting or something else

[chicken parm]

My hen started molting in the winter Dec. still hasn't grown in full feathers yet. tail feathers are cottony looking. and I just noticed her butt or vent area is bald and raw. what could be wrong?

 

[HorseFeathers]

It could quite possibly be feather picking. Pics?

 

[DouglasPeeps]

If you could post pictures that would help.

It certainly could be picking...... Do you have a rooster?

 

[HorseFeathers]

Even if there's no rooster, feather picking still happens. Especially in winter when they're bored. Unfortunately, it even happens in our small flock of hens.

 

[chicken parm]

No rooster, haven't gotten pics yet. she looks healthy, eyes clear, comb colorful. 7 other hens look ok.

 

[HorseFeathers]

I'd guess that the molting presented nice fluffy underfeathers and bare skin, and the other bored hens said, "Oh, look! Yum!" and that started feather picking.

 

[DouglasPeeps]

Quote:
Sorry, I didn't word my questions right. I know that feather picking occurs with or without a rooster, but I was just asking for more information from the OP.

 

[chicken parm]

pecking could be the problem, never seen them do it but it could be going on at night. should I separate her till she heals? any meds needed for the bare skin?

 

[HorseFeathers]

Put duct tape or a saddle over the bare patch on her back if that is picked. The vent you can't do anything about, really... separate her with a cage (we use a dog cage) in the coop so she isn't lonely but the other hens can't pick at her. And wait until the feathers grow back (luckily with a molt this won't take long).

 

[chicken parm]

I have a empty coop I can put her in for a while. do you think she would be to lonely by herself? would they except her back when she's better?