What happened to my hen?

[Chiro333]

This morning when feeding my chickens I noticed one of chickens is bloody! 5 other hens and the rooster all look fine. I separated her from the rest of the flock for now. My poor Samantha! What do you think happened to her?

 

[sourland]

She is molting, and flock mates are plucking the incoming blood feathers.

 

[Chiro333]

She is molting, and flock mates are plucking the incoming blood feathers.

tough life being a chicken worrying about predators and your flock mates! It was good I separated her. Thank you for your reply!!

 

[Eggcessive]

What are you feeding them? I would increase their protein for awhile to 20% protein feed in case they are pecking feathers to eat them. Blood feathers are attractive to them. I have used BluKote spray before to hide the red color, and that contains gentian violet which stains the skin and feathers blue. It wears off eventually, but can stain your fingers and clothing. Are you in the US? Most feed stores carry it, but it can be found online.

 

[FNF]

Related to this - my rooster has had his bum pecked multiple times during his molt - I’ve separated him a few days at a time to give him a break but periodically I find a drop or two of blood in the coop and trace it back to his butt feathers. I’ve had two ducks that have also left a drop or two in their house and I am able to see the feather in question. I don’t see any evidence of obvious picking with them but I just started separating the two groups (younger and older, three each) at night just in case. My question is if it’s possible pin/blood feathers can bleed a little on their own as they’re growing? Or is it definitely picking? This is my first year with molting birds and it’s proving a headache as they don’t leave each other alone!