Hen finished being broody, now plucking others' feathers... What do I do?!

Sunflowergirl

Songster
8 Years
Feb 16, 2012
456
14
156
Quitman, Texas
I have an 8 month old Wyandotte hen that just got over being broody about a week and a half ago. I had tried to break her but she was more determined than me, so I let it run its course on some golf balls. I finally figured out that she is the one who is plucking feathers out of 3 other Wyandottes and 2 EEs just above their tail, on the back. (I thought it was my roo being over-zealous!)
I checked under her back feathers and she has none of the downy fuzz. She has a ton of pin feathers coming in! Did she molt or did she pull out all her fuzz being broody on the nest?
I am now making sure she is getting some more protein. Also have just ordered some FORCO to feed her. Do I need to separate her from the rest? She has pulled out some plugs of feathers on my poor EEs! I am not finding any blood yet. Do I just need to just keep an eye on the other girls?
I greatly appreciate ANY wisdom anyone has to share!!!
 
It may have started as a desire for more protein since she is molting. It can escalate to a very bad habit. If providing protein supplementation does not work you may want to fit her with Pinless Peepers for a while.
 
Thanks Sourland! I am going to look into those. So, does a molt start with the fuzzy feathers falling out? Did her being broody throw her into a molt?
 

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