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Hi
I have 3 rescue chooks, had them since July last year and they're still plucking each others feathers. I just cant understand it. They have plenty of roaming space in the day to stay out of each others way if they want, have access to food, water, shelter whenever they want it but they're still plucking each others feathers and their back and bottoms in particular are red raw. Ive tried stockholm tar to stop them but it doesnt bother them. Im out all day in the week so dont really see it happening but the strange thing is when im home at the weekend I dont really see them pecking themselves or each other either but they're definitely doing it as I can see specks of blood on and off so I dont think its part of their natural molt.

Is there anything I can do to stop this happening as they look so unloved (but they are well looked after).

Thanks from a very desperate MEW
x

Hi,

Don't worry - I have had rescue hens before and mine did this too.

I noticed that a couple had plucked feathers (more blood) but lots of the marks were from simple peck marks. It seems to me that they just cannot resist the temptation to peck bare flesh! (Which the poor old exbatts have in abundance). As soon as their feathers grew back and covered the bare skin, mine stopped doing this. Some people suggested using vaseline on the bare skin as they do not like the feeling of it on their beaks, though I never tried it.

I kept mine in a fairly small run to start with as I thought this was a good thing to do to acclimatise them - but it just meant that when one tried to peck another, the peckee had nowhere to escape. So if possible, give them more space, and give them plenty to keep busy (twigs to scratch in - a hay bale is great fun etc) and they will be too busy to peck each other. Or you could try keeping them apart but within view, i.e by dividing their run into three with chicken wire. They will then forget the behaviour. I appreciate not everyone has the space to do this though.

Don't worry though, it won't last forever. I know it breaks your heart - in my old trio, one was barer than the rest and the other two picked on her - to the point she was too scared to come out of the henhouse! three months later they were all glossy feathered beauties and all got on fine.

Bonnie

Sorry MEW, just re-read and realised that they already have space and have been with you for ages.

I am stumped then! Is the red bottom definately due to plucking or to some other skin complaint?

Good luck, hope someone else can help.

At least you know they are definately happier than when they were in their cages, no matter how bare their bottoms!

Sorry Mew, I read this the other day but I don't have a clue so couldn't help you. Have you asked this question elsewhere or on a poultry forum cos I would suggest you do that. Hope you get some advice soon.