Sun burn? Bare red back not growing feathers

[ldelorto]

Hello! So during the winter my hens were kept in a closed run because in the fall we had a hawk problem, in March on of my hens who was not very low on the pecking order, was being pecked, after a day or two her back was bare. We put blue kote on it, covered our yard in netting, and they have been free ranging for about 2 months now. I have not seen any pecking since, they all seem pretty happy, but her back looks terrible' . It's bright red and getting worse, I put blue kote but after a day or two it's gone. If it was any other hen it wouldn't be so much of a problem, but she is impossible to catch. We have to do it at night, and even then we end up getting our butts handed to us by this chicken. I ordered her a saddle, worried about getting it on. But my question is why is it not growing back? Is it possible that she's getting pecked during the night? Or will it not grow back until she molts? And can they get a sun burn? It wasn't red until a few days ago, and it just started getting hot and sunny I feel terrible. There's shade in the yard but she doesn't hang out in it much. Suggestions please!

 

[chicmom]

Hello!

I think yes, a hen could probably get sunburned, but more than likely, she's being pecked when you're not looking. Chickens see red, irritated skin and they are just attracted to it. A feather that has been pecked out entirely (no shaft left in the skin), will grow back.

I would make sure she doesn't have any parasites, just to be safe. That saddle you ordered will do wonders for her. When you catch her, cover head so she can't see, and she'll be very still. Then you can check her over for any parasites, and get that saddle onto her. I wouldn't separate her from the flock, because then she'll just get picked on again when you re-introduce her.

You could put some aloe on her skin if you want to. (Just plain aloe.) it's very soothing.

Good luck with her!