Molting, but now there is some blood.

[The Welch Chickens]

Yesterday I posted about our hens losing feathers. One especially has lost them around her neck. The replies say they are molting, but I just saw the one hen molting on her neck has some dried blood on it. Are they pecking her because she is molting? What can I do?

Here is yesterday’s thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/losing-feathers-please-help.1609564/

 

[nuthatched]

I'd get some meatbird feed or chick feed for protein, they need it during the molting and to stop the picking.

 

[The Welch Chickens]

I'd get some meatbird feed or chick feed for protein, they need it during the molting and to stop the picking.

We were going to buy some “Feather Fixer” feed tonight. Is 18% protein enough?

 

[nuthatched]

We were going to buy some “Feather Fixer” feed tonight. Is 18% protein enough?
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18% is the minimum I have my flock, I'd see if they have chick, gamebird or meatbird feed, or and all flock. 20%

 

[The Welch Chickens]

18% is the minimum I have my flock, I'd see if they have chick, gamebird or meatbird feed, or and all flock. 20%

Ok.

Is there anything I should put on the area? They have all gone to bed now; I could put something on it first thing in the morning if needed.

 

[nuthatched]

Ok.

Is there anything I should put on the area? They have all gone to bed now; I could put something on it first thing in the morning if needed.

Maybe some baffles or a hay bale for them to dig around in

 

[The Welch Chickens]

Maybe some baffles or a hay bale for them to dig around in

I meant treating the wound, sorry. Any type of ointment?

 

[nuthatched]

I meant treating the wound, sorry. Any type of ointment?

Oh, sorry. Basic wound care if there's open skin, but I wouldn't worry. Neosporin, etc works fine.

 

[The Welch Chickens]

Oh, sorry

No worries!

Basic wound care if there's open skin, but I wouldn't worry. Neosporin, etc works fine.

I’ll put some neosporin. It should be the “antibacterial ointment” without the “pain relief”, correct?

 

[nuthatched]

No worries!

I’ll put some neosporin. It should be the “antibacterial ointment” without the “pain relief”, correct?

It actually doesn't matter, from my research. It's a myth that unfortunately started when someone on here had a bird attacked and badly wounded (lost a leg, I think) the member used pain relief neosporin but the bird died. It very likely diet of shock and blood loss.
Now, birds are more sensitive to being put under for surgery but most topical pain relievers won't even bother them, in fact they have a higher resistance to lidocaine than we do.
But since the non pain relieving ointment is easier to get, that's fine since she's not in pain. I'd pick the non pain relieving kind anyway.