Hens losing tail feathers

[azulrooster]

I have 8 egg layers. Since the winter has set in, I have noticed a few of the hens have lost their tail feathers.
I have 4 WhiteLeghorns and 4 Rhode Island Reds. One hen from each group has lost tail feathers.
Looks like another hen is pecking at them???
Any help is appreciated.

 

[flgardengirl]

They could be moulting or the hens could be feather picking them or both. I am having the same thing happen with one of my golden cuckoo pullets. In my case I know it is feather pulling going on. I put a chicken saddle on her but it isn't long enough to cover her tail so I am trying to think of what to do next. I am wondering if I should put some blue kote on her? They aren't really picking at her body though just the feathers so far....

 

[berkeleysprings]

blue coat works well for us , we get them at night when there roosting and spray them and it works also im sure u all are better with chickens than me but check for mites , sometines they lash out if uncomfortable
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[LegsAndEggs]

We have several that have been moulting for weeks and the other ladies are helping in removing the feathers. I have two ladies whose skin looked awful on the back of their neck and and on their backs. We did not blue kote since there was no bleeding and within a week of being picked (almost clean) their skin looked better and the others left them alone. I do not know if that helps or hurts but I just think it is the time of year for feather loss.

 

[azulrooster]

sorry what is blueKoat?

 

[berkeleysprings]

iam fifty and cant type or sprll good but blue coat is a blur colored anticeptic that taste bad to chickens but its good stop birds pecking
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