Strange problem with my chick's tail feathers

[jumpergirl]

My chicks are about 4 weeks old, and we brought them home at about 2 weeks. When we got the chicks one didn't have any tail feathers. she had a little scab back there. After a week and a half or so, a few feathers started poking out. Today I came home and her tail area was bleeding. He had a bunch more feathers sticking out, but it was really just like the tube of the feathers. It looks really gross and kinda swollen. I attached a few mediocre photos. Any idea what this is? Otherwise, she seems to be okay, eating, drinking and pooping.

I am in Columbus, Ohio, and we have to get our chicks checked out at the vet, so I am going to try to take them this week, but would love to know what to do in the meantime.

I have isolated this chick in her own little brooder, (the other chicks were attacking her) and sprayed on neosporin. I was planning on keeping her separate at least tomorrow and maybe tomorrow nite, and then using bluekote and putting her back in with the others.

 

[countrygoddess]

Wow, I've never seen this! I wonder if the scab was a result of her tail being damaged in such a way that she actually lost enough flesh to make regrowing feathers difficult. It looks infected, almost like an ingrown toenail would. Ingrown feathers, if you will. My guess is that if the feathers are deformed and not moving out of the sheath like they should, then there is some serious follicle damage. I'm curious to know what the vet says...

 

[jumpergirl]

I took the chicks to the vet as part of the requirements by the city. The vet thinks there was a previous injury and the feathers are just having a slow time coming through. Since they are new feathers, she thinks one of the other chicks broke a blood feather and that is why she was bleeding. Going to isolate for a few more days.

She is otherwise pretty happy, so I think she is fine.