Tail feathers missing now bloody chicken.. help.

[Jackieke]

We have six chickens and noticed one Rhode Island Red had feathers missing at the base of her back at her tail and today she is bloody in that area due to the other chickens pecking at her. I have her separated right now. She is also limping a bit. We do not have roosters. Can anyone tell me why the other hens would pull her feathers out? Should we try to help her heal? Or destroy her? My father said to separate her and put salve on the area. Not sure what to use..

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @Jackieke Welcome To BYC

Can you post some photos - your hens, coop and run?
What type of food/treats do you feed?

Having feathers plucked out can cause small wounds and damage to the skin, it is best to separate her, rinse the wounds and apply some Blu Kote, triple antibiotic ointment or Vetericyn.

How much space do you have in your coop/run? Overcrowding can lead to cannibalism and feather picking. Boredom can play a part in feather picking as well - having perches, a dust bathing area and access to hanging fruit/veggies and some leafy greens can keep them occupied.

Without more information (coop/run, chicken photos, food, etc.) I'm not sure of your question about destroying her. Chickens can recover from various types of wounds.

 

[shawthorne44]

My work buddy has four hens not yet laying. During a thunderstorm three started to peck at the tail feathers of one of them (the one a different color). Trouble is, once there is red, they peck and peck and peck. He put her in 'hospital' and treated her wounds. Before he put her back with the other hens he sprayed "No Peck" on her tail area. One at a time, all three other hens ran up to peck at the tail area. They all got a taste of something very bad and stopped immediately.

 

[Jackieke]

Thank you for your quick reply! I'm not the one that gives them the most care. My fiancé is working and he is at work. I have her separated from the other chickens. He can answer your questions later when he gets home. He is also a member on BYC. Thank you again!

 

[Jackieke]

My work buddy has four hens not yet laying. During a thunderstorm three started to peck at the tail feathers of one of them (the one a different color). Trouble is, once there is red, they peck and peck and peck. He put her in 'hospital' and treated her wounds. Before he put her back with the other hens he sprayed "No Peck" on her tail area. One at a time, all three other hens ran up to peck at the tail area. They all got a taste of something very bad and stopped immediately.

My work buddy has four hens not yet laying. During a thunderstorm three started to peck at the tail feathers of one of them (the one a different color). Trouble is, once there is red, they peck and peck and peck. He put her in 'hospital' and treated her wounds. Before he put her back with the other hens he sprayed "No Peck" on her tail area. One at a time, all three other hens ran up to peck at the tail area. They all got a taste of something very bad and stopped immediately.

Thank you for the info! We will definitely be trying this once she heals.

 

[KRP WV]

Thanks to Wyorp Rock for helping out with a damaged hen that my fiance found in the coop earlier today, made it home from work after a stop at my local tractor supply store to pick up supplies to care for this wounded hen.. I've separated her from others and will nurse her back to good health, thanks again

 

[Jackieke]

Thank you for the info! We will definitely be trying this once she heals.

Any idea where to find "no peck"?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You can find products like Blu Kote and "Pick No More" at feed stores like Tractor Supply.
These have a bluing agent that hides wounds, may taste bad and has antiseptic properties.

I hope all goes well.

 

[Jackieke]

Our injured hen is healing we have her in a temporary coop. Using blu kote and antiseptic spray. I'm a little concerned about putting her back in with the other 5 hens.. wondering if they will just do this to her again? We will spray her with peck no more. Any thoughts?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm glad to hear she is doing better

I agree, there is always a concern when re-integrating a chicken that has been removed from the flock. Determining what brought on the attack would be a very good idea, couple of things that chickens pick at one another over is not enough space and food.
Ensuring there is room in the coop and run for them to move freely and get away from each other is important. Some birds are more bossy over food, so even with 6 birds, having a couple of feed stations may be a good idea.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock