Eggasperated Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Once again I've had to separate Pippa as after two weeks solitary she has managed to strip bottom and neck feathers from both Carol and Alice within two days of being returned to the free range area with them. However I have just looked out of the window and seen Carol sitting pushed up against Pippa's run allowing her to pluck her neck feathers and making no attempt to get away . What on earth is she doing that for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legend21 Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 sorry I cant answer this but I am intrigued to see what the answer is, they are so cookie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickinboy Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 I've got a feather pulling problem at the moment too - and one of them seems to crouch for the other to feast on her knicker feathers. Very stange. It's almost like sharks in the sea - they go to 'cleaning stations' to find fish that will eat the parasites on their skin. I'm hoping it's not because the chickens have something that they want removed...can't see anything and they're regularly treated for everything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 I've just checked Carol for the umpteenth time and can't see anything on her. I feel sorry for her as she seems to have spent half her life growing new feathers and yet she lays 5 - 6 eggs a week with only the occasional softie over the winter. But it seems she's her own worst enemy. Hope someone can offer an insight into this strange behaviour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I'd be interested in this too as I've seen my biggest girl sitting there letting the other one pull at her feathers. My big girl Butch often goes broody so pulls her own feathers out anyway but she looks awful all the time with a bare front to her neck and down under her tummy. She doesn't seem annoyed by it at all. I've also checked her and she doesn't have any little critters and the two other girls have all their feathers so its not something thats affecting all of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ness3103 Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 i'm tagging onto this thread as all of mine are quite happy to let the others pull their feathers out and they've all got bumper bits on they all look a bit like exbatts at the moment, i'm really at a loss as to what to try next, i thought the bumpers would sort it it has put me off getting any more girls too as i find it quite upsetting to see them in such a state Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I'm so glad its not just me, I feel quite embarrassed and think that people might think I'm not looking after Butch properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickinboy Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I know how you feel - I find myself diverting a visitors attention away from Maggie when they come to see the chickens - I'm worried they're going to report me as she looks so neglected with her bald bits sticking out from under her saddle. She's happy though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ness3103 Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 i won't let my friends come to see mine because it looks like i don't look after them all 4 of them are happy as larry it's me thats upset Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 i have two the same, one almost absent mindedly eats the others feathers, she does it to a lesser degree on the other chickens however her favourite has a big bald bum and doesnt seem to mind being eaten Its very frustrating but I have to admit that for my sanity I have given up intervening, both are healthy one just looks a bit bald Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 That's all good to hear (if you know what I mean), I'm glad its not just mine I thought I must be doing something terribly wrong. I keep wondering if the RSPCA from Animal 24-7 are going to knock at the door. Two have mine have still got bumper bits but as they have been on nearly two months I'm expecting them to fall off pretty soon (Alice's already has), I don't know whether to replace the bumper bits or just try and relax about it. I still think I need to keep Pippa separate for a bit as her feather plucking isn't absent minded more like determined stripping. Could it make it worse keeping her separate? Is that something everyone else has tried? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porkypie Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I have a bald belly/bottomed hen too for the last week I have no answers I'm afraid I caught SJ tugging at Nursie's remaining bottom feathers this morning and so sprayed her balding backside with my new anti-peck stuff. The place I ordered from were out of stock for a few days which may be a coincidence or maybe there is high demand for this stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
