help please

[Jessi223]

One of my adolescent hens was attacked by the adult hens while I was at work. They pulled every feather from her back and pecked her up really good. I cleaned her up and put her in a dog carrier under a tarp next to the pen, she is eating and drinking fine. I am worried about tomorrow when I have to go to work. It gets to be around 90 degrees and its VERY humid... I don't know whether she will be fine there of if I should place her inside (which I'm afraid may be too cold). I am completely new to chickens so any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Percheron chick]

I'm in the same boat. I did change feed last week and I'm hoping that's what prompted the feather picking. So much for non GMO feed.

I leave my pullet in the dog pen (about 2x3) inside the coop during the day. My chickens tend to hang out in the coop in the middle of the day so she has company. I do let her out when they free range in the evening but as soon as they head for the roosts, they start pecking at her feathers again so back in the pen she goes. If she's fully feathered, she can easily tolerate the inside temperatures. I would think outside in the heat would add stress to her situation. I coated my pullet's back side with Blu Kote which seemed to provide some relief. I would of expected it to sting and dry the skin.

 

[Jessi223]

Thank you for your reply. She is missing all the feathers on her back, wings and chest are ok; I'm a little concerned that the house (78degrees) may be too chilly. My friend recommended that I put a frozen water bottle in the crate to give her something to cool herself on. I also read that you can put a saddle on them to reduce pecking when re-integrating, but wounds this fresh would be bothered by the saddle. I need to check into that Blu Kote, is it medicated? What exactly is it?

 

[Percheron chick]

60's to 70's is the sweet spot for chickens so 78 is fine. If you leave her in the crate outside, make sure she is in the shade with a lot of air movement. Don't just cover the crate to create shade, provide some dead air space between the cover and the crate. Hard sided dog crates will trap her body heat so if you have a wire cage, use that one instead.Frozen water bottles will work but they'll be melted by noon

Blu Kote is a germicidal/fungicidal dressing which is unnecessary for normal feather picking but it will dye the skin and any pin feathers blue. The taste will be a deterrent. The other chickens are drawn to the bare skin and bloody feathers so it will mask it and hopefully help them quit.

 

[Jessi223]

Thank you so much for the information and help! This site is fantastic! <3