Molting hen getting bullied?

[Annalyse]

My Plymouth is molting for the first time and today I just caught my other plymouth pulling a feather out of her and she didnt seem to like it because shes sore I'm guessing. She kept aiming for the butt feathers. I dont know what to do. The other plymouth kept trying to do it agian but I would stop her.

 

[sourland]

I'd remove the hen doing the feather pecking/plucking from the flock until the molting hen regrows her feathers. That or put Pin Less Peepers on her to break the habit.

 

[Annalyse]

Is there something I could put on the molting hen? maybe to get in the way of the other hen plucking her. Or I read that you can put something in their water to speed up the process? idk

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

You could keep the molting hen in a dog crate but with the other chickens so they can see each other but not get at each other.

 

[Annalyse]

You could keep the molting hen in a dog crate but with the other chickens so they can see each other but not get at each other.

Wont that stress her out even more? Shes already stressed from molting. I'm going to see what tomrrow brings so I'll update everyone

 

[rosemarythyme]

She doesn't look bad. I wouldn't separate anyone if that's the worst of it.

You could try increasing protein intake for the entire flock (may help the molting bird regrow feathers faster, and would satisfy any protein craving from the others) or try BluKote on the picked on area to make it taste bad to the others.

 

[Martha38]

My Plymouth is molting for the first time and today I just caught my other plymouth pulling a feather out of her and she didnt seem to like it because shes sore I'm guessing. She kept aiming for the butt feathers. I dont know what to do. The other plymouth kept trying to do it agian but I would stop her.

Have you tried pecking lotion for chickens when they oeck its a horrible taste and they get away ask in your local feed store if they have some

 

[Annalyse]

She doesn't look bad. I wouldn't separate anyone if that's the worst of it.

You could try increasing protein intake for the entire flock (may help the molting bird regrow feathers faster, and would satisfy any protein craving from the others) or try BluKote on the picked on area to make it taste bad to the others.

How should I increase their protein?

 

[Annalyse]

Have you tried pecking lotion for chickens when they oeck its a horrible taste and they get away ask in your local feed store if they have some

I have Blue kote so if i really need to, ill use that thank you.

 

[rosemarythyme]

How should I increase their protein?

What is the protein % in your feed right now? Mixing in higher protein feed (or switching to it) is one way, or you can give them unsalted fish or meat, or a tiny bit of cat food.