Why on earth would a hen do this?

[Lotsapaints]

She picks at my rooster's neck feathers going to make him look like a naked neck and he just lets her pick his feathers...they have plenty of turn out and a big run and have lots to eat not low in protein 18 to 20% I throw out a flake of alfalfa for them to have extra green as I have no grass until November so I need to get her a peeper? She hasn't been picking at anybody else she looks like she's helping him preen but she takes the feathers off and doesn't eat them all just picks them off and lets them fall...these are 7 months old I am going to need to do something poor Pierre and he acts like he loves her attention....

 

[emys]

I don't know, maybe she is after a bit more attention from him? Teasing??

Maybe she is just attracted to his pretty feathers - chickens like to peck shiny objects...

 

[PunkinPeep]

Is he actually starting to look thin there? Maybe she is just preening him. (I love watching them preen each others. It's so sweet.

)

 

[Lotsapaints]

I might have to put him in a separate cage..I caged one hen but another looks like she might be doing more than preening he at least decided to peck back at them I do think it's been going on for a while just that it does look like they are loving on him..it's that I noticed last night he was loosing a lot of feathers if it keeps up I'll put him in the cage for a week or two to let him get some feathers back right now I'm thinking since it looks bright pink maybe some blu cote is needed

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

You can get Rooster Booster Pick No More Lotion (looks kind of like molasses and does stain) and put that on him- tastes awful to them. I have used it on chicks. Worked instantly.

 

[Lotsapaints]

I think I saw some at the store does it come with a dauber?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
The top of the bottle is kind of shaped with a flat opening, so you just squeeze it out. Some got on my hands but washed off eventually.

 

[sourland]

Sometimes adding protein (dry cat food) can correct this behavior. Sometimes it can not be corrected.