Expert: Abi - 2/5/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I need help! I have 4 pet chickens about 9 months old (black/copper marans)living in a 4x6 shed with 4x6 run, with daily access to garden as well. Two of my girls are suffering badly from feather loss under the neck and around the sides and abdomen.I have treated them with ivermectin, sprayed the shed for mites but nothing seems to be helping. Some of the feathers look broken and I thought this might be pecking, but I haven't seen any squabbling to speak of! Despite being bald and chilly,they all seem to be bright and in good health otherwise, and all are laying lovely eggs. Many thanks for any help given to this struggling chicken owner!

ANSWER: Is their skin red or raw? Last time we had a chicken like this it WAS bullying but we never saw her getting bullied. Try going out with some REALLY tasty food (raisins, worms, chopped spinach) and see if much squabbling goes on, and who it centres around. If it is around them, you can bet it is the the other girls pecking them. I doubt they would be stressed enough to pull their own feathers out. It is not the feather loss but the damage to them that suggests to me they are being bullied.
'Around the sides' is that the tops of their wings? And is 'abdomen' their lower back? These are typical places they would get a pecking!

If you think that I am right then I would suggest getting soom gloopy Stockholm Tar, and painting it on thick with a paintbrush, on the pecked areas. Try to avoid sore bits. This tastes to disgusting that the other girls will try it once and then never do it again!

Thanks for your question, let me know if I am right in that it is bullying :)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Abi, thanks for the good advice. Bullying does seem likely, especially as I have 2 suspiciously attractive girls and 2 feather dusters! The bald bits are mostly under the neck (crop area,)base of tail and thighs/underneath of birds, with some sore redness around tops of legs. I did hang a cabbage in the run to peck at, and the biggest chicken, Ethel, does like to stop others sharing treats! I've ordered the tar, but should I separate them in the mean time. Again, many thanks, advice really valued. Faye.

Answer
I'm starting to doubt myself now as the areas you described only really get pecked whilst they're up on a perch. With normal pecking they get bald on the back around their preen gland, around the neck and on the tops of the wings. I would separate her as then you will know for sure.

Really sorry I couldn't be of more help.