One hen plucking the other?

[THLG]

I just have a pair of hens (supposedly Ameraucana -- one modeled brown with rusty head, one all white).

All of the sudden the brown one is missing all her saddle feathers. (no blood, or open wound)

I haven't seen any pecking, but I assume it's the other (white) hen that is responsible.

Can I do anything to make the first one taste bad?
Or, is that a silly question?

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

I have never had any luck with those nasty tasting ointments put on feathers. Seems that my chickens enjoy the taste of these things. LOL But you might try expanding on their area to keep them from being aggressive. Give them things to do...seed pecking blocks, hanging veggies, mirrors, ramps, let them out to free range, etc...You can separate the bully for a while, but generally once they are aggressive, no amount of separation changes the personality.

I have a mean hen that I had to resort to using pinless peepers on. She was brutal with the hens. Pinless peepers do not allow the bird to see directly in front of them to aim and fire off the beak. So it stops them from plucking feathers.

Here is my hen in her eye wear...



If your hen has bare skin showing, you will need to use a saddle on her or use blu-kote on her skin so the others don't bother her newly growing feathers...http://www.hensaver.com

Good luck and I hope you can get this solved soon!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

X2 boredom busters are a great way to stop bullying behaviors. Hanging treats, dirt, leaves, lots of space, stumps and mirrors are all great.

Saddles and pinless peepers are also something you should look into.

Good luck!

 

[THLG]

Looks like a saddle apron (no stitch) is the for sure method without much fuss! I like that. Thanks guys!

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you decided to join our flock. You've received some good advice from the other members. I would also spray the pecked area on your hen with Blue Kote Wound Dressing. Not only will it help heal any injuries she might have and disguise any blood that might be there, but the bad taste usually does discourage other birds from pecking at the area. If you are not familiar with Blue Kote, you can see it at http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/blue_kote_wound_dressing.html. Please feel free to ask if you have any more questions. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your hen.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[aart]

I just have a pair of hens (supposedly Ameraucana -- one modeled brown with rusty head, one all white).

All of the sudden the brown one is missing all her saddle feathers. (no blood, or open wound)

I haven't seen any pecking, but I assume it's the other (white) hen that is responsible.

Can I do anything to make the first one taste bad?
Or, is that a silly question?

Are you sure she's not molting?
Are there a lot of feathers around the coop?
What percentage of protein are you feeding?

 

[THLG]

No, I'm not sure she isn't molting. let me go take a picture and post it in my profile pics...

Not the greatest pic, but I posted in my "Default" album in my profile page.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/g/i/6506345/babs-missing-saddle-feathers/

 

[aart]

Green legs would indicate probable Easter Eggers.
I don't see any blood, that's a good sign...tho Whitey looks interested lol.

Other questions still pertain.

 

[ckickenlov101]

I think they might be eating eachothers feathers because they lack the proper nutrition in their diet or she might be pulling out her feathers to relive heself because she has mites.