Sapphire Gem missing a bunch of fluffy butt feathers

[cp2894_]

So today one of my family members were watching our 5 girls and noticed that Edith, our sapphire gem, was missing a big patch of her fluffy feathers on her backside

Here's all the info:
1) Sapphire gem, 9 months old, normal weight
2) Acting normal but missing a bunch of her fluffy butt feathers
3) Just noticed it today but it could've happened earlier
4) None of the other 4 girls have any missing feathers
5) No bleeding or bruising. Looks like there also might be more feathers starting to grow in or like the old ones weren't ripped of from the root
6) My only guess for what happened is that maybe one of the other girls ripped them out but there's no bleeding and nobody's noticed that behavior
7) Eating Purina Layer feed. Eating and drinking normally
8) Poop looks normal. None stuck around her vent
9) Haven't treated it at all so far because I'm not sure what happened
10 ) Can treat myself but don't know how yet or if it needs to be treated
11) I'm not home right now but I can try to get a picture when I get back if needed
12) Using pine flakes for bedding and using deep bedding method

 

[nuthatched]

Is it red? They could be picking her from: lack of protein, tight spaces, boredom, or chickens being jerks.

 

[cmobley]

Does it look like that

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you try to determine why they are picking on her? Spend some time watching them together. Are they getting outside to roam around? You might try some anti picking ointment such as pine tar or Nustock cream in the horse aisle at your feed store. Until you get one of those, try vaseline.

 

[cp2894_]

Is it red? They could be picking her from: lack of protein, tight spaces, boredom, or chickens being jerks.

No it doesn't really look red but it could've been if it happened a little while before anyone noticed. I gave them some scrambled eggs today so if it's lack of protein maybe that'll help. They also hadn't been out of their run into the yard in about a month (because of weather and it being busy) so they could've also been bored. We did have a big snow storm a month ago and they spent almost all day in their coop for 4 consecutive days. I just feel so bad that I didn't notice sooner.

 

[cp2894_]

View attachment 3403930Does it look like that

No. That's all bruised and has scabs. In that picture it's also a smaller patch of missing feathers than on my girl. That's what's weird about it. She doesn't have any of blood or bruising so it doesn't make sense that it was from pecking unless it's healed and It happened a while ago before I noticed.

 

[cp2894_]

Can you try to determine why they are picking on her? Spend some time watching them together. Are they getting outside to roam around? You might try some anti picking ointment such as pine tar or Nustock cream in the horse aisle at your feed store. Until you get one of those, try vaseline.

I spent time watching them this morning and didn't notice them pecking at her. They did have to spend a lot of time inside their coop and run the past month or two because of bad weather so they could've gotten bored during that time and messed with her. I let them out today and gave them some scrambled eggs and they really enjoyed it. I'll spend more time watching them while they're in their run to see if they peck at her. I normally let them out a lot but the past 2 months have just been crazy.

 

[Eggcessive]

They probably have been pecking on her at some time of the day. Some may reach over on the roost in the early evening, and peck at another who is too close or to make them go away. I worry that this could progress to severe vent pecking damage or even cannibalism. I would try the ointments, and she might even need to be separated with a screen or fencing until she heals. Dog crate with food and water works well if there is room in the coop or run. Pine tar or Nustock taste bad so it may be good to use. Look online or in your feed store.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...p_PgxJOEWXEFT-FFm4gBYqBnIE85i99hoCEmgQAvD_BwE

 

[cp2894_]

They probably have been pecking on her at some time of the day. Some may reach over on the roost in the early evening, and peck at another who is too close or to make them go away. I worry that this could progress to severe vent pecking damage or even cannibalism. I would try the ointments, and she might even need to be separated with a screen or fencing until she heals. Dog crate with food and water works well if there is room in the coop or run. Pine tar or Nustock taste bad so it may be good to use. Look online or in your feed store.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...p_PgxJOEWXEFT-FFm4gBYqBnIE85i99hoCEmgQAvD_BwE

Thank you for the advice!