My chicken is losing tailfeathers?

[1crazycock]

I have a deleware hen that was a survivor of a raccoon attack. She got an injured toe, and her wing got a little scrape, but other than that she is ok. She has looked and acted great, really normal. About a month has gone by now and she has lost all but a couple of her tailfeathers, and just wanted to know why this would be. She is 2nd on the pecking order and no other chickens mess with her, so Im not sure whats going on. Any one have any ideas?

 

[MiniBeesKnees]

Is she maybe molting?

I have a little OE red pyle rooster that I pulled all his tail feathers out by accident trying to catch him...and a month later they are all growing back in just fine.

 

[tinychicky]

molting or she may still be recovering from the shock or the attack-chickens with anxiety issues tend to pull out feathers although i'm not sure why. it should stop soon enough.

 

[dawg53]

First off, welcome to BYC. I agree with the others, sounds like a mini molt to me. The tail feathers will grow back in time. But just to be on the safe side, visually inspect her tail area for lice/mites.

 

[chicmom]

I agree with dawg! Check for lice or mites, and if that's not it, possibly a molt. If you're sure she's not being feather pecked, then I'm betting on the molt.

 

[turtleshoes]

One of my hens is losing her tail feathers and she is not laying for over a week now. If anyone would like to comment I would really appreciate it. I also noticed that, at night, she is no longer roosting with the other hens but sits alone.

I watch them during the day but they seem to all get along okay.

 

[susanp970]

I will check my girl for bugs, I thought she might be building a nest as I have found numerous feathers in a nest? I don't know if they do that.