Missing feathers back of neck

[Kris5902]

Thanks... I might need to try the sock/scarf idea or vet wrap... I know about the saddles, but her back is fine, I’ve never seen a scarf though. I’ll see if I can snag a picture of her neck and head.

 

[Kris5902]

Well, I got many blurry pics of my knee, the waterer, the chickens bum and wing. This was the best I could get of her neck and head area it doesn’t really show the extent of the missing feathers, or little scabs... I’ll probably try a scarf if it continues to worsen. I was hoping for something to stop the neck and head grasping... maybe an icky taste? But a scarf isn’t a bad idea if she will tolerate it.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Darn things never sit still for me, either.

You could try something icky tasting. What do they find icky?

 

[Keeperofmunchkins]

I have a similar problem with a pullet losing feathers on the back of her head/right at the top of her neck from the rooster's preferences. So far I haven't been able to find a solution and she has a clear bald patch.

 

[Mosey2003]

Don't use vet rap. Putting it on an animal that moves like that and leaving it is a good way for it to roll up and tighten and/or get caught on something and hang her.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Don't use vet rap. Putting it on an animal that moves like that and leaving it is a good way for it to roll up and tighten and/or get caught on something and hang her.

Ooh. True. Didn't think about that.

 

[Mosey2003]

Yeah, I love vet rap to death, but you have to be careful with it. It's great on legs, and parts that don't move much, but anywhere it can shift it will roll and tighten and get you in trouble. Even wrapping my mom's arm, it will shift overnight.

 

[Kris5902]

Don't use vet rap. Putting it on an animal that moves like that and leaving it is a good way for it to roll up and tighten and/or get caught on something and hang her.

That’s what worries me about that solution... she’s not really being picked on or such, she’s bossy, and very active. It’s not like she’s just laying around or sick at all!

Darn things never sit still for me, either.

You could try something icky tasting. What do they find icky?

Exactly! They eat everything! I had to rescue one from eating a little LEGO piece! why it was outside in the mud I don’t know, we don’t have kids, but my husband likes to collect it. Tippie (one of my rehab girls) broke another toenail; I was using cornstarch to stop the bleeding (I keep some in a little mason jar) my jerk cockerel decides to defend her/challenge me. And while I was putting him away she started scarfing down the starch! I turn back and her head is covered in it and she was trying to swallow it. She’s doing fine, moral of the story is they are like babies... turn your back for two seconds and they’ll stuff anything in their mouth to see if they can eat it!

That’s why I was thinking the stop pick (which I don’t have) or something (I do have Blu Kote, but I’m not planning on tasting it to find out!) to smear back there and protect her remaining feathers before she gets a completely bald spot and he starts grabbing her neck. Who knew un-trimmed beaks were that sharp? They are like little birds of prey!

 

[Mosey2003]

Obviously the best solution is to separate the cockerel, but I assume if you were able to do that you wouldn't be asking for other ideas.

 

[Kris5902]

Obviously the best solution is to separate the cockerel, but I assume if you were able to do that you wouldn't be asking for other ideas.

He’s actually quite good, gentle and not to too bad with them, and I really like the dynamic he’s got going on in there. He’s just having some balance issues while he grows out of the teenage clumsiness. I plan on breeding him to several of these ladies eventually as well, I also really don’t want to mess with the pecking order of the cockerel holdback group again... they have finally mostly settled in together.