Hi, Questions! Sounds like you got a MAJOR picking problem! I was wondering, does your chickens have a place to run around? I know that a picking problem can occur when they don't have enough room to run around in so they go after each other. Chickens can get angry and antsy if they are in their coop all day, especially those who are not broody (wanting to sit on eggs). As for the picking I once tried horseshoe goo on my chicken's picked feathers and they seemed fine, but I wouldn't do that on the bloodied chicken since chickens will keep picking at a sore spot. Also, since you need to separate the chickens, you might want to expand your coop if you can. I use thick metal fencing on my coop, and placed metal poles a few feet apart to attach the fencing to with zip ties. It works well, but the ties break off so you need to replace them. The reason they might be picking is a lack of protein, and if this is the case take a few eggs, grind and mix them up in their feed before giving it to them. This way they will get their protein and not realize that they ate their eggs. Hens will usually pick if there is a lack of protein int their diet because it gives them what they need. You want to give them eggs at least once every three weeks so you DO NOT make them want to eat their eggs on purpose (it can cause egg eaters if you give them too much). Leave the yolk in the egg when you crunch it up and mix it in since it gives it the most protein, and in the mornings give them some plain vanilla yogurt in their feed. Same as the egg, mix it into their feed with a spoon, some hens will love it and others will not like it. Also, you will want the kind of yogurt that has the active enzymes because it helps their cut be free of any worms, not the artificial stuff. You might want to check for mites, too; they are small and will quickly move away when you look at the base of their feathers (the shaft, which is the white part of the feather that holds the feather to the skin). If you have mites or anything of the sort, check on the Backyard Chicken page on diseases to help figure out what's best for mites if your chicken has them. I hope you figure out what needs to be done.
