Long Pin Feathers?

[pcakes]

I have 3 senior hens, all molting. One has these really long pin feathers that won’t seem to fall off. The 1st picture is from 11/8, the rest are from today. I was hoping she would preen them off in time, but could they be stuck? And do they look unusually long?
Thanks in advance!

 

[AidKD]

You could try pulling them off yourself.

 

[pcakes]

You could try pulling them off yourself.

I was tempted to try, but I read the feathers could fall out if I pulled even a little. So I’m not sure.

 

[abpatchy]

you could spray her with some water with a dash of apple cider vinegar to get her to clean herself ... or try to pull them off. It will not make the feather fall out.

 

[Perris]

I have 3 senior hens, all molting. One has these really long pin feathers that won’t seem to fall off. The 1st picture is from 11/8, the rest are from today. I was hoping she would preen them off in time, but could they be stuck? And do they look unusually long?
Thanks in advance!

I was in a similar situation last month and you might find this post useful
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...rescued-chickens-thread.1502267/post-27253795

 

[AidKD]

you could spray her with some water with a dash of apple cider vinegar to get her to clean herself ... or try to pull them off. It will not make the feather fall out.

I've never heard if that, good to know!

 

[AidKD]

I was tempted to try, but I read the feathers could fall out if I pulled even a little. So I’m not sure.

They won't fall out, trust me. She's just being a chicken and won't do it Lol

 

[pcakes]

They won't fall out, trust me. She's just being a chicken and won't do it

I've never heard if that, good to know!

Ditto!

 

[pcakes]

Thanks for the advice!

They’re not used to being handled, so hubby will have to hold her while I work on them ~ but isn’t it uncomfortable for them to be handled while molting? It’s hard to see in the pics, but she still has little pin feathers everywhere.

 

[Qwerty3159]

Well if you’re concerned about causing them discomfort I would just leave them. It’s not hurting the bird.
They aren’t really pin feathers anymore at this point, based on the fluffy end of the feather sticking out. Your girl just hasn’t preened off the keratin sheath covering the base and shaft of the feather. The keratin sheath will start to disintegrate on its own sooner or later and I imagine your chicken, eventually, will get the job done herself. A light water spray would probably help urge her as others said.