How to Deal with Broken Tail Feathers? Please HELP

[mylilchix]

My 22 week old light brahma somehow lost half of her tail feathers last week. My son noticed that she was bleeding. We brought her in, cleaned up the wounds, and put her back out with the flock. Today when my son was out in the coop he noticed that she was bleeding again. Sure enough one of the few tail feathers she has left was broken and bleeding again. Her poor rear is geting bare! We brought her inside, stopped the bleeding, and put her back with the others. I can't tell if she's being pecked at by the others, if my roo is getting to her, or if she's breaking them some other way. From what I'v noticed the other birds only peck at her when they see blood. How can I prevent her from losing any more? Thanks for your help!!

Sonja

 

[mylilchix]

More issues today. I really don't think the other hens are pecking at her. I think she's somehow injuring her feathers another way. She was bleeding again this afternoon, and she was being pecked at by my other hens but it was because of the blood. I need to get her broken feathers plucked (I'm waiting for dh to get home to help me.) She is confined in the house right now to keep her safe. Could she be breaking her tail feathers on something in the coop or run?

Sonja

 

[PeeperKeeper]

Is it possible she is being attacked by a predator? Some one else had a chicken that was having the same problem and found out it was a rat! We had trouble with opposums chewing on the chickens while on their roost at night.

 

[Zookeeper9000]

My dorking roo is very much lacking in the genleman department. Out of 6 hens 2 hates him. Does he care NO, he just goes about his business while they try to get away. When they try to get away then their tail feathers break and bleed. Me I carry bluekot with me and just keep spraying them. The others do not pick them even when they are bleeding.

Sure could use some advice here as well on the what to do about it.

 

[mylilchix]

I don't think it's a predator. I check the coop at night, and there isn't anything in it when I shut them out at night. They have a wooden floor, and our barn cat has chased everything rodent away. On of our dogs could be getting to her when she has her rear to the fence. Could she possibly be breaking them when she flies off the roost in the morning? What is bluekot and where can I get it?

Thanks,
Sonja

 

[bubbazmommy]

I get Bluekot at my local feed store. I have used it on one bird but am not sure if it really works. Does it really? I have a hen sleeping in a pack and play in my bathroom right now b/c she had a spot bleeding. I would like to get her back outside. My kids and dog are way to inquisitive.