Hen pecking the other

[skyefry]

Hi all! I have 2 Easter Eggers (I plan to get more soon) and they just turned a year old. I noticed one of my girls was starting to loose feathers around her face and on the top of her head. I have never actually seen her peck her, so I am 100% certain it is happening at night when they roost and get comfy for bed. I have the "no peck'n" spray I have been using and the "hen healer" blue ointment I have been treating her with but is there anything else I can do? I feel bad for her little bald head. No blood or broken skin, but I do not want it to get that bad. Her neck feathers are frizzled from being broke/peck but they aren't getting pulled out. Any and all suggestions would be helpful! I could separate them at night but I would have to bring one inside.

 

[Alexandra Runner]

What is the percentage of protein in their feed? Usually feather plucking is a sign of low protein, low fiber, or boredom.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Any photos of the damage? Is the bird being pecked bearded and muffed? It's not unusual for muffed birds to get their facial feathers groomed off by others, it's not the same thing as feather picking in the traditional sense.

 

[skyefry]

What is the percentage of protein in their feed? Usually feather plucking is a sign of low protein, low fiber, or boredom.

16% protein. They have free range about 50% of the day when I am home and they have treats/scratch to peck at all the time also.

 

[skyefry]

Any photos of the damage? Is the bird being pecked bearded and muffed? It's not unusual for muffed birds to get their facial feathers groomed off by others, it's not the same thing as feather picking in the traditional sense.

Here are the images! She has some feather missing under her beak on the one side also.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Here are the images! She has some feather missing under her beak on the one side also.

The beard and muff damage I'd expect. The missing feathers on top is more unexpected. I'd up the protein for starters, more like 18-20%, as 16% is considered minimum for most breeds.