Hen chewing on other chickens tail feathers?

[crunchygranola]

I have a hen that has some wacked out looking tail feathers compared to the rest. I caught one of my other hens just… gently chewing on her tail? Nothing malicious or anything… just… odd…?
(Hen on the left is the chewer, while hen in the middle is the chewee)

 

[crunchygranola]

It’s also been quite rainy here for a while. I’ve watched the chewer hen— she’s not doing it roughly, even when she thinks I’m not watching. She has a habit of preening the other hens, too.

 

[GlicksChicks]

She might be over preening your other hen's tail.

 

[crunchygranola]

She might be over preening your other hen's tail.

Okay. Any way to break the habit? Is it stress?
The only major difference they’ve had lately is their run got upgraded, and the weather has cooled down significantly into the nice low 70s.

 

[GlicksChicks]

Okay. Any way to break the habit? Is it stress?
The only major difference they’ve had lately is their run got upgraded, and the weather has cooled down significantly into the nice low 70s.

Maybe try to seperate her when you see her doing it. Somewhat like when you see a dog doing something it shouldn't, you stop them.

I don't know what causes it, maybe she sees something on the tail and wants to get it off, or maybe she has taken a fancy to that hen.

 

[crunchygranola]

Maybe try to seperate her when you see her doing it. Somewhat like when you see a dog doing something it shouldn't, you stop them.

I don't know what causes it, maybe she sees something on the tail and wants to get it off, or maybe she has taken a fancy to that hen.

Perhaps. I’ll try! Thanks!