Missing tail feathers

[AlyK94]

Hello all! This is my first flock of chickens so please be patient with me! I was told that my chickens were probably molting when I asked a friend about why they would be missing tail feathers and exposed skin. I excepted this response and didn’t worry...until we found one of my chickens pecked to death. I see some of the other girls have started to bleed a little as well and desperately don’t want this to happen again! I know once there is a wound the others will naturally want to peck at it. What do I do? Is this molting? If so how do I care for them while molting? I don’t have room to separate any out unless I brought a sick one inside. It’s around 0 degrees lately and dropping below 0 so they haven’t been outside their coop at all. Are they bored? All females and some are starting to lay.
Help! Thanks in advance.

 

[sybonbon]

Chickens need high protein while molting. If they are not getting enough they will peck and consume feathers. Increase their protein in their diet. I bought a bag of feed called feather fixer to help with my late molters. Good luck.

 

[kk+chickens]

meal worms also have lots of protein

 

[The-White-Elephant]

meal worms also have lots of protein

Yup. But don’t feed too many too often, that can help them go obese.

 

[kk+chickens]

Yup. But don’t feed too many too often, that can help them go obese.

yeah, most things need to be in moderation

 

[sybonbon]

meal worms also have lots of protein

Absolutely. I buy large amounts in the fall to get me through winter.

 

[sybonbon]

Yup. But don’t feed too many too often, that can help them go obese.

In the winter I give scratch, birdseed and mealworms mixed together. I have 8 hens and once a day they get 3 cups to scratch and Peck. The food and exercise help keep their metabolism going.

 

[AlyK94]

Chickens need high protein while molting. If they are not getting enough they will peck and consume feathers. Increase their protein in their diet. I bought a bag of feed called feather fixer to help with my late molters. Good luck.

So this definitely looks like molting? I will definitely increase their protein intake!

 

[kk+chickens]

So this definitely looks like molting? I will definitely increase their protein intake!

i was kinda holding off to see if someone else would give more input cuz im not a vet and i’m not super confident that i know what it is, but here are my thoughts.

it looks a little scabbed to me and mine don’t bleed or look like that when they’re molting (i’ve had chickens for about 10.5 years) have you seen anybody pecking friends’ feathers or anything like that? (chasing friends around, being more aggressive)
what do they eat?
what treats do you give them?
how often/much do they get the treats?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So this definitely looks like molting? I will definitely increase their protein intake!

Looks like feather picking.
How much space do you have in your coop/run and how many birds?
Do you have a rooster?