one of my chickens is pecking the other behind

[MCBackYardGirls]

Hello, today we noticed that one of my chickens is pecking several other ones behinds. All the feathers are gone in about a four inch diameter. We isolated the one that I think is guilty, but I wonder if this has happened to anyone else and how long do I need to isolate her? Why do they do this? No blood yet, but if she keeps doing it I am thinking it will be really bad. Thanks for 'yall's help!!!!!

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

could they have mites?

 

[sharol]

Have they been confined to the coop? How much room do they have? Are they bored? Sometimes feather picking can stem from boredom and bad temper.

Are they getting sufficient protein? It is my understanding that if they are eating the feathers, that could be the problem.

 

[MCBackYardGirls]

They have the whole backyard. They shouldn't be bored and we feed them pellets with protein. I will check for mites. Can you see mites?

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Sometimes. I have heard that it is best to check at night with a flashlight under their vents. Lice are very tiny.

 

[chicken2010]

yes! my particular hen has been doing that to the other chickens too

 

[Judy]

http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8162.pdf

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=425486

Meanwhile, separating the one doing the pecking for about a week will put him at the bottom of the pecking order when he is returned to the flock.

BluKote will hide the areas from any others tempted to peck. But do take care of the mites first, well, possible mites -- but since they are carries by wild birds, it is likely there are at least a few.