Looking for Pin Feathers

[russiansage2007]

In homeschooling my 7 year old daughter this year, she is learning about chickens in her science class and about their feathers. She has already witnessed them oiling their feathers since being introduced to the concept and was ecstatic. I think it would be neat to get a pin feather (if it would not cause the chicken too much harm) to cut it open and see the feather inside (this was suggested in her science book). Can anyone give me tips, hints or pointers?

 

[azygous]

I love science experiments! You may harvest a pin feather without any harm to the chicken. Just be prepared for some bleeding. Have some corn starch handy. Tweezer the pin feather by grasping it firmly at the base and then yank decisively. immediately dust the site with corn starch to stem the bleeding. Keep an eye on it for a few minutes to be sure the bleeding has stopped. Add more corn starch and it will subside.

 

[Charles A. Milverton]

Greetings to you and your girl

regarding this issue, You may harvest this feather without any signifacnt harm to your hens by spraying some Lidocaine ( local anaesthetic agent )around the base of the hair to make it lose sensation of this part for a couple of minutes then grasp the feather firmly as fast as possible then clean the site with Betadine( antiseptic) to prevent entrance of any micro-organism that may lead to any disease or infection later on.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I personally would leave those pin feathers alone. Most birds are uncomfortable with them being handled, probably because they are a bit painful. Just because you can pull them out doesn't necessarily mean it should be done, but that's just my thoughts.

 

[aart]

Seeing both sides of this......

 

[russiansage2007]

Thank you all for your advice. Will take it into consideration.

 

[aart]

Thank you all for your advice. Will take it into consideration.

Please do let us know of any results of the experiment.

 

[Saaniya]

pin feathers are called Blood Feathers This feather can grow as a new feather during the bird's infancy, or grow to replace one from moulting...

pin feathers are very sensitive as they have direct supply of blood ..
sometimes birds who have pin feathers become victiom of peacking order if they pull one feather skin tear & blood becomes showing clearly ..

i've seen birds with pin feathers mostly ..just leave them alone let nature handle it with care