4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[heth1986]

Im very confused. One of my young legbar girls seems to have broken tail feathers! They look as though they've been chopped off about an inch or so from the base, not all of them though, i'd say about half.

It's happened gradually over the last couple of weeks. At first I thought she was moulting but then they only hatched 2 weeks before Christmas so aren't they too young?

Then I thought I bet one of the others is pulling them out, but as I said, they look like they've been snipped! Plus, the area isn't sore at all. I've sat and watched them for ages and there certainly doesnt seem to be any bullying going on.

Is there a possibility she could be difficient in something that's causing them to break? They're still on growers pellets and all I have in their water is a garlic clove. No other bits and bobs / supplements as i thought i'd leave them be whilst they're growing up.

What do you all think?

[Lewis]

What kind of coop are they in? Could she be breaking them as she perches if they're too close to a wall etc?

 

Could it be feather pecking? or maybe she's self-plucking if its just the one bird affected?

[heth1986]

Ah maybe, they're in our shed at the moment (not you're usual shed I hasten to add, it's chicken adapted, light and airey!) however there's a high shelf they've taken to roosting on rather than sleeping in their house so perhaps she's sitting with her bum against the wall?

It's very strange. Just had another look and I'm now thinking they look like new feathers coming through. Do they moult at this young age?!

[Lewis]

Yes she's still a grower so it could be new feathers growing through if thats what it looks like