help with plucking feathers

[TonkaGirl]

I have had my 4 girls for a little over a year now and my columbian wyandotte is getting her feathers plucked by the others. She has a bald spot now on her back-this seems to be the only place being plucked. They have free range of about 1/2 an acre (unless they jump the fence and bother the neighbors), only cooped up at night (which is a large wood coop attached to a 8 x 10 dog run). They have layer crumbles and water available at all times, spend the day hunting for whatever creepy crawlies they can find, and get what ever leftovers/scraps from us. I have caught the chickens pecking at her and I go out and yell at them; they sometimes eat her feathers. I can't imagine its a lack of protein or boredom? Is there anything I can put on her till her feathers come back in? Thanks in advance!

 

[Judy]

Yup, you can put a saddle on her. You can buy one, they are not expensive and usually for sale in our Everythng Else BST forum, or make your own, even without sewing:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/patterns-chicken-saddles

I've snipped out a few from polarfleece like the one on the right and had them stay on til the feathers regrew, when I had an overinterested cockerel. I didn't even bother with the tail feather hole, just the two wing holes. Granted, I usually have to take two tries to get a decent fit....

 

[realsis]

You can also try rooster booster brand "Peck no more" it works wonderfully! I would put it on my babies in my last flock to keep the older birds from pecking them. It really works well. It is a purple lotion type that also has tee tree in it to help with sores and picked or plucked areas. You can find it at tractor supply for a few dollars. Its in a brown bottle. Hope this helps. The stuff does not smell very good but its safe and VERY effective!