[Little Nell]

I have only 8 hens, some fairly new, but one seemed to be the lowly pecked hen to start with. She rapidly got a bald patch just above her tail. I now have 3 newer, but she still seems to suffer. Or is it something else? Just in front of her tail, on her back. I know hens have a curious and to humans,what appears a mean instinct, but is this still pecking or now an infection causing feather loss? I would like to know any simple remedies for soothing irritation and clearing infection. Many thanks.
Little nell

[HesterF]

Have you got a cockerel? If so, might be his favourite - he tends to claw out some feathers.

If the skin is sore you could try spraying on some violet antiseptic stuff (not sure what it's actually called - modern version of gentian violet) which puts the other hens off pecking it (they like red) and will make sure it doesn't get infected,

H

[northfifeduckling]

We had the same problem with one girl all last year. I think it started with the cockerel's spurs but she ended up looking ready to baste as the others pecked at her at night. After months of trying every remedy on the market and then isolating her she grew back some little feathers. It took all the way through proper moulting season for her to recover completely though!

[suziequeue]

You can actually buy little chicken aprons to put on the spot where they get bald from the cockerel treading them.

[ellied]

I have one hen from the second arriving group who was lowest of the pecking order in her group, then of the whole, and since the more recent arrivals, she's stayed lowest of the entire flock.  She is just naturally a low status hen and she had started to get blood drops showing on her bald bum so I started letting her out of the pen all day (the rest come out at lunchtime til dusk) and feeding her separately so she is getting enough and has space to roam on her own most of the daylight.  She goes back in with the rest when they go in with their corn and roost and there is already signs of feather regrowth tho they still pick on her. 

I've a second one (a Black Rock) showing signs of being next lowest now who was lowest of the first group til the second and third lots arrived - I started letting her out too but she then picked on the first lowest while they were sheltering from sleet in the same place, so I sometimes let herout all day too but not at the same time as the first so they both get feed.  I spend so much time managing hen politics

Guessing your lowly hen is like  mine, just low no matter in what size of company..  Mine is way too nervous to let me pick her up and spray her but she's got adept at getting to the gate to be let out and is accepting the odd raisin treat closer than before so I'm biding my time til I get my hands on her without stress.  She was a commercial free range and bald with a deformed neck and damaged wing when she arrived 15 months ago, so she's already better off than she was then or would have been if she'd not come here.

[goosepimple]

I do like 'taking care' stories, makes me think I'm not the only soft touch out there  .


Spray, I'd try terrimycin or engimycin (probably spelt those wrongly) get them from your vet they'll be better than anything at your farm shop, they're the type you would use on a sheep or goat soar.  You will have to grab her to do it though - best if you have someone else to spray while you hold her with both hands, thumbs on the shoulders to stop the flapping, just takes a few seconds and its done.  Often hens go for pecking of the vent area which can be sore for her to sit.  Do it asap as it will only get worse, they do like a bit of blood those vampire hens. 

[chrismahon]

Stockholm tar works well on pecking injuries. We try to identify the pecker and separate them for a few days which disrupts the pecking order, or fit them with a Bumpa beak bit.

[Little Nell]

Thanks for replies. No there's no cockerel, just mean chooks! I have let her out on her own today and will continue. Have spent 3 times her cost on vet and a spray I've ordered from Chicken Vet! Always swore I wouldn't get soft.
 She is a very pretty Columbine and lays eggs blue as blackbirds eggs.
One of my others lays monster greeny blue eggs which are often double yolks.