Missing feathers

[Cluckcluck19]

the newest bird I got a couple days ago had some missing feathers by the base of her tail and some on her face by her comb. She had this since I got her. I didn’t think much of it until I saw one of my younger birds picking the bare spot by her tail. She didn’t seem bothered by the pecking at first but then quickly got irritated by it.

What should I do from here? Is there anything I can put on it? She is over a year older than my other birds and the only one old enough to lay eggs. She has made it a point that she is the alpha.

 

[littlefarmgirl9]

Just make sure she’s getting enough protein (typically about 20 percent of their feed should be protein). If it gets worse and the featherless spot becomes red and raw, I would suggest getting some Vetericyn spray to put on it (from a farm store) or maybe unfiltered honey (natural antibiotic). Good luck!

 

[Henriettamom919]

You could put some Blukote to stop further pecking. They were probably bitten off by another chicken and are now a target for her new flock.

She'll regrow them when she moults in the fall! You'll want to up their protein during that time but other than that just use a pecking deterrent

Edited to add - if there's no skin irritation then just get a pecking deterrent spray without the dye or antiseptic.

 

[Cluckcluck19]

Thank you guys so much!! It doesn’t appear raw at all and when I hold her to look at it she doesn’t mind me messing with the area. Just looks like normal pink, chicken skin.
Right now because my other chickens are still 12 weeks I still have them on a grower and the egg laying hen eats that too along with me hand feeding her calcium shells. What else can I feed that has more protein but also is safe for my little ones?

 

[Henriettamom919]

Thank you guys so much!! It doesn’t appear raw at all and when I hold her to look at it she doesn’t mind me messing with the area. Just looks like normal pink, chicken skin.
Right now because my other chickens are still 12 weeks I still have them on a grower and the egg laying hen eats that too along with me hand feeding her calcium shells. What else can I feed that has more protein but also is safe for my little ones?

Scrambled eggs and plain yogurt are both great, little safe, protein sources. So are varied types of fish, skin and meat!

 

[Cluckcluck19]

Scrambled eggs and plain yogurt are both great, little safe, protein sources. So are varied types of fish, skin and meat!

Thank you so much!!

 

[Henriettamom919]

Thank you so much!!

You're most welcome and best of luck! I can't wait for my buff orp, Henrietta, to molt since her alpha bit off most of her tail feather plume but I have pullets, as well. I'll be supplementing our protein instead of upping the percentage in their feed.

 

[Cluckcluck19]

You're most welcome and best of luck! I can't wait for my buff orp, Henrietta, to molt since her alpha bit off most of her tail feather plume but I have pullets, as well. I'll be supplementing our protein instead of upping the percentage in their feed.

Oh no! Poor little thing. Once I get back from our camping trip I’m going to start upping their protein with the food items you suggested

 

[Henriettamom919]

Oh no! Poor little thing. Once I get back from our camping trip I’m going to start upping their protein with the food items you suggested

I think there's a "feather fixer" supplement you can buy to add in to your feed, as well. I'm sorry this has been so rough on your girl!