Pecking problems.

[slashby]

We have 5 hens who have been raised together since they were chicks. One of the hens seems be getting plucked and pecked by the others and has at least 3 bare spots on her. I have tried blukote a few times and rooster booster but it seems to be getting worse over time. It doesn't make sense to me to isolate the one being pecked bc I feel like it could make things worse. The coop and run are the right size for the hens and we are careful about making sure they have enough food and water. We let them free range as much as possible.

My questions:
1) do these pictures look consistent with getting pecked/plucked by flockmates or is there something else I should be considering?
2) other ideas when it is one chicken getting all the negative attention?
3) should I consider isolating this chicken until she starts to heal?

Thank you!

 

[Elsveta641]

Is she the only chicken that looks like she does? That is often enough to get a chicken bullied around here.

I'd treat them for mites just in case, if they dont have any it wont hurt them to be treated.

Try a saddle, she may just be super hot to the rooster and getting too much attention.

I have a hen who has plucked herself half naked for no apparent reason. Her back, thighs, under the wings, upper wings, everything she can reach. I think shes just got OCD or something. The vet said she must just be very nervous. We tried a medication for allergy/itch but it didn't help her.

 

[aart]

You have no male birds?
How old are your females, in months?
How big is your coop and run really, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help.
What all and how exactly are you feeding?
Have you observed any/all of the other birds pecking on her?
Any other birds have feather missing?

There is really nothing you can do to make them 'heal'...unless there is an open wound(which I don't see). Feathers will grow back in once they molt.

I've had a few birds that just seem to be 'naked' combo of brittle feathers and treading and picking..have suspected self picking too. Probably bothers me more than them.

Oh, and...Welcome to BYC! @slashby
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