chicken now being pecked by the others (following loss of feathers) ! How do I help her? Photo included

[WAC1]

Our chickens regularly come into the garden with us and have for the last year or so. They usually have about 20 minutes pecking around before going back to their run/ coop.

A few weeks ago a young fox chased them and grabbed some feathers from one of our girls, no damage at all to the skin thank god. So she has a bald patch on her back. They spend a few days in their run coop but were very happily having short supervised garden play.

Anyway, I noticed some blood on her back a couple of days ago and thought it was her feathers growing back. Today it looks really sore and bloody and I think the other girls might be pecking her. Is this likely? What can I do?

Photo below, poor girl. Looks healthy but sore.

Purple spray?
They go for anything red and bloody worse than sharks.
Or separate her off until it’s healed.

I'd suggest getting purple spray on that as soon as you can, because when chickens spot blood they will just keep pecking at it.

If they still won't leave her alone, then apply some Stockholm tar (be warned, it's messy).

Oh no! I feel so weirdly sad about it.

Is this the stuff?

Yes, that'll do the job.

Thank you!

Is it worth separating her? Not sure where I can put her. Will they accept her back when she's healed? We're fairly new to this!

I'd avoid separating her, personally, as they'll have pecking order squabbles when she's reintroduced, and she may just continue to be bullied.

If there is a particularly bad feather pecker, it's often recommended that you separate the pecker, rather than the one being pecked.

I've not separated mine, but I have resorted to bumpa bits when they've developed particularly bad pecking habits.

Can you let them out for longer periods? Partly to allow them more space, and to get breathing space from the annoying ones, but also partly as it'll reduce boredom and therefore probably reduce the pecking.

That's really helpful thanks.

Yes I could let them out for longer but I'm still scared the fox will return!

You'll definitely need to continue to supervise them in the garden, but can you get a book, blanket and cup of tea and let them wander for 45-60 minutes?

Or investigate enrichment options for their run? Hang up food for them to peck at?

Entertaining or distracting them should reduce boredom-induced feather pecking.

Thank you! I haven't seen the other 2 peck her and they definitely didn't peck before the bald patch .
Is 'anti pecking spray' useful? I see mixed reviews

It made no difference with my chickens, unfortunately. Purple spray was far more effective.

Purple spray or a chicken apron (you can get them on ebay)

We have to separate the naughty duck occasionally. It's like giving them time out!

Actually a chicken apron doesn't seem like a bad idea. There are some quite fetching ones out there!

I assume they can wear them to bed?

Yes, you can leave them on. One of ours had a fetching jumper after an injury and pecking which I loved

That's brilliant. Thank you everyone!

Please, please don't put an apron, saddle or any kind of clothing on a chicken. You will just cause it discomfort, particularly if it has pin feathers coming through. You will block its access to its preen gland and prevent it engaging in its normal behaviours.

A chicken is not a dog. If you want to learn more about taking care of chickens, I'd recommend the chicken behaviour and welfare course which is free on Coursera.

Yep I'd agree,no clothing on birds.
Our ducks do not want their usual cuddles when their feathers are regrowing after a moult,apparently it is very painful growing feathers.

Update. The would is looking nice and dry today with no signs of infection. They're playing in the garden and I haven't seen any more pecking. Purple spray arriving today! Thanks everyone

Ahh that's good hopefully it will heal now.

I cleaned the wound with salt water and it was just one large deep peck. I have used the purple spray at advice of this thread. She seems content and i can see lots of new feathers growing on the bald patch. I hope she'll continue to be ok!