Tons of Bloody Tail Feathers on Rooster

[User4477]

T

He's molting, I see lots of pin feathers, & they bleed quite abit when they get damaged.

Thank you, the other hens had been plucking his feathers so I thought the pin feathers were just the damaged feathers growing back in

 

[MysteryChicken]

T

Thank you, the other hens had been plucking his feathers so I thought the pin feathers were just the damaged feathers growing back in

You're welcome.

This type of thing is common. If you have some blinders, you can put them on the hens that are pecking him. Just until he's done molting at least.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How long has he been scabbed up? Photos of the whole bird?
Looks like it needs to be cleaned out very well, then retake photos.

 

[User4477]

How long has he been scabbed up? Photos of the whole bird?
Looks like it needs to be cleaned out very well, then retake photos.

He's had broken feathers for months but never bled before today. He's had the powder on for about 7 hours now. I will try cleaning out the area thoroughly tomorrow and take more pictures of him and the area when it's cleaner.

 

[Ascholten]

Get him cleaned up. He may have had broken feathers before, he's molting now, you can see the new ones coming in, which is why I asked when you said feathers were bleeding.

So broken feathers that are old, ok, pull and no biggie, or they will eventually come out themselves. Broken feathers that are coming in / very new, BIG issue. They have blood to them, as you have seen, which is part of the feather growing process.

The absolute critical thing first above all - make sure the bleeding is STOPPED !

After that, if the feathers looked very new - and they were just split etc, there is a good chance what is left can still come in somewhat. You can leave it be and see what happens.

Next critical thing, CLEAN HIM. Make sure that area is cleaned and is not starting to infect or anything. An antibiotic would be good at this point.

After that, MONITOR him, he's going to be very sensitive and sore there for probably about a week, give or take a little bit. If things are progressing along then that's great, let it do what it will end up doing. BUT, if feathers start seeping / bleeding again, then those feathers will need to be removed.

He can bang them, pick them himself because they are sore, etc, a lot of things that could cause them to re bleed, so monitor him closely.

If you have to pluck a feather, the easiest way is with a pair of pliers, (having 2 people helps a ton here, as NO bird is going to really cooperate with this part). Grab the feather by the base, hold the bird firmly, maybe press down around the feather, whatever you have to do to keep him fairly still, and just pull it firmly straight up and out. Do not bend, twist, pull sideways, stuff like that, you can cause tearing. Once the feather is out, it may bleed a tiny bit but the hole should close right up where you removed it at.

Also, as a FYI corn starch works in a pinch too to stop bleeding, just get some on your fingers and press firmly around the bloody area. When Paco gets his nails trimmed, occasionally one will bleed a bit, and a bit of corn starch on forefinger and thumb and just grab the nail where it's bleeding and press it with the starchy fingers and it generally stops in a few seconds.

It looks horrible, I know, you feel real bad, I know, but you are doing good, and taking care of your little avian friend here so I am sure he'll come thru just fine with your attention.

Aaron

 

[User4477]

Get him cleaned up. He may have had broken feathers before, he's molting now, you can see the new ones coming in, which is why I asked when you said feathers were bleeding.

So broken feathers that are old, ok, pull and no biggie, or they will eventually come out themselves. Broken feathers that are coming in / very new, BIG issue. They have blood to them, as you have seen, which is part of the feather growing process.

The absolute critical thing first above all - make sure the bleeding is STOPPED !

After that, if the feathers looked very new - and they were just split etc, there is a good chance what is left can still come in somewhat. You can leave it be and see what happens.

Next critical thing, CLEAN HIM. Make sure that area is cleaned and is not starting to infect or anything. An antibiotic would be good at this point.

After that, MONITOR him, he's going to be very sensitive and sore there for probably about a week, give or take a little bit. If things are progressing along then that's great, let it do what it will end up doing. BUT, if feathers start seeping / bleeding again, then those feathers will need to be removed.

He can bang them, pick them himself because they are sore, etc, a lot of things that could cause them to re bleed, so monitor him closely.

If you have to pluck a feather, the easiest way is with a pair of pliers, (having 2 people helps a ton here, as NO bird is going to really cooperate with this part). Grab the feather by the base, hold the bird firmly, maybe press down around the feather, whatever you have to do to keep him fairly still, and just pull it firmly straight up and out. Do not bend, twist, pull sideways, stuff like that, you can cause tearing. Once the feather is out, it may bleed a tiny bit but the hole should close right up where you removed it at.

Also, as a FYI corn starch works in a pinch too to stop bleeding, just get some on your fingers and press firmly around the bloody area. When Paco gets his nails trimmed, occasionally one will bleed a bit, and a bit of corn starch on forefinger and thumb and just grab the nail where it's bleeding and press it with the starchy fingers and it generally stops in a few seconds.

It looks horrible, I know, you feel real bad, I know, but you are doing good, and taking care of your little avian friend here so I am sure he'll come thru just fine with your attention.

Aaron

Thank you so much, the last thing I want is for him to get an infection so I'm going to try to clean him up best I can. I appreciate it

 

[Ascholten]

You are very welcome. Please keep us informed how he does.
It will probably be until next molt for all that to go away and new feathers grow in and stuff, so you are going to have Mr. Scruffy Snuffy there for a while

Aaron