Please help!!!!

[Mark & Nique]

It could be, or some feather plucking got out of hand.

If you notice who the top hen is, you can work on improving her behavior by asserting your dominance. Pick up and hold the trouble maker then walk around with her for ten minutes or so while the others enjoy free range.

Our EE (Easter Egger) is the backyard bully of our 3 hens; I do the above and it helps to let her know she isn't the 'cock of the walk.'

 

[M@M@2four]

Spray Blue Kote on them--they carry this at Tractor Supply. I would also cover the wound in Neosporin and separate in a few days. Sounds like they may have been pecking each other and once they se red blood, they continue to peck. Good luck!

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Quote:
14 weeks and not outside yet?

What are they eating? Too low a level of protein can cause feather picking.
How much space do they have? Crowding can cause feather picking, too.

Welcome to BYC!

 

[blue eyes 2011]

There eating chicken grower feed, from a local feed mill. I just put some neosporin on until we pick up the bluecote and it is pretty bad, her skin is split open, it's to the bone, will this heal?

Like I said earlier, I have the injured hen in a different cage away from the other 3. Once she heals and is returned with the other 3 hens, will she be the target for the other hens to pick on her? Before today all 4 were getting along fine with no issues that we were aware of.

 

[blue eyes 2011]

Any other thoughts?? I'm going to give all 4 of the some yogurt mixed with their feed tonight.. I figure it will help keep their immunity up.

 

[Mark & Nique]

It's time to finish the coop and move them outside with plenty of free range ASAP. (You can make an easy pen or run.)

Having a better environment should help with their behavior.