Rooster had tail feathers now doesn't.

[momofchicks]

My Deleware Rooster had 3 very long tail feathers that curled down, then the other day I noticed they were all missing. Could he be sick or did the other Roo's peck them out? What should I look for?

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Could he be moulting?

 

[ozark hen]

yes, I would say one of the other chickens are pulling them out.

 

[Jenski]

If you sit and watch the chix long enough you will probably find that one (or more) of his pen-mates is pulling them out. Some will even EAT the plucked feathers.

Feather plucking is a nasty habit, and although it may be just a dominance issue with the roos it can be a habit that others learn. It can sometimes lead to more serious cannibalism, and even death of the "victim" in extreme cases. If you have space to separate him from the others until he is healed, you may want to move him to where he is safe. You may also want to discover and remove the culprit, especially if he/she is picking others as well.

Good luck!


Jen in TN