My young hen, having her feathers plucked

[9reasons]

I have a small flock of three Orpington’s. The top hen is a lot older than the other two at 45 weeks the other two are 17 and 18 weeks. The top hen has been picking on the 17 week old smaller one a bit more than usual lately by plucking out her tail feathers. No blood or bald patches. The in between one gets pecked too, but still has her tail feathers. I have some anti-pecking spray I will try if I can catch the little one.,.hard because she’s so scared. Any advice? I thought perhaps I could lock the big one in the run and coop for a couple of days and just let the two younger ones free range but does that actually work? Or is this just normal pecking order behaviour? It seems a bit harsh. Thanks.

 

[rosemarythyme]

What does your set up look like? Photos would be best, or a detailed description of coop and run along with sizes and everything available in the space.

 

[9reasons]

What does your set up look like? Photos would be best, or a detailed description of coop and run along with sizes and everything available in the space.

They only go to bed in the coop and run as it’s not a very big space. They free range together all day.

 

[9reasons]

They only go to bed in the coop and run as it’s not a very big space. They free range together all day.

 

[aart]

Or is this just normal pecking order behaviour?

It's normal when they don't have enough space.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Space could be a big part of the issue here. Do you see the picking going on when they're outside, or do you just see the aftermath when they come out in the mornings. When you say they free range all day, is the door open at first light and they're allowed in and out the entirety of daylight hours?

Also what do you feed them? A lower protein diet could be a possible contributing factor as well.

 

[9reasons]

Space could be a big part of the issue here. Do you see the picking going on when they're outside, or do you just see the aftermath when they come out in the mornings. When you say they free range all day, is the door open at first light and they're allowed in and out the entirety of daylight hours?

Also what do you feed them? A lower protein diet could be a possible contributing factor as well.

She pecks them when they are outside and yes they are out from dawn until dusk so I don’t think it’s space. I feed them a top
of the range show-bird mix 17% protein and they have fresh food and scratch. Is that enough protein? The oldest one has always plucked and eaten feathers…she will even eat her own if they are preened out! I just put her in the run for the morning while the others free ranged to give the young ones a break, and she seems a bit quieter.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I feed them a top
of the range show-bird mix 17% protein and they have fresh food and scratch. Is that enough protein? The oldest one has always plucked and eaten feathers…she will even eat her own if they are preened out!

Might try closer to 20% protein, and cut out scratch and any extra treats as they diminish protein levels. Not unusual for birds to eat feathers that have fallen to the ground, but unusual that she'd pick and eat her own, so perhaps the protein will help diminish that.

 

[9reasons]

Might try closer to 20% protein, and cut out scratch and any extra treats as they diminish protein levels. Not unusual for birds to eat feathers that have fallen to the ground, but unusual that she'd pick and eat her own, so perhaps the protein will help diminish that.

Yes I will up the protein in their food. She only eats feathers that she preens out of herself. She doesn’t pull them out.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If all else fails, might want to look into pinless peepers to help break her obsession with feathers.