loss of tail feathers

[monkfish]

hey every1....new to chicken keeping, but have 3 hens and 1 cock....and 2 runner ducks and 1 drake. they are all 3months old. but my light sussex has been losing her tail feathers. she is def at the bottom of the pecking order have checked her, and her feathers look like they have broken off. any ideas why/what this is and, how to treat it? many thanks

may be a slight be of diarrhoea too....but could be a bit over anxious

 

[chrismahon]

If the feathers have broken off I would say it is the cockerel treading her, although rather young. The hen at the lowest of the pecking order offers the least resistance to his advances and gets trodden the most -becomes favourite. In our experience she needs a saddle before the skin gets broken and the other hens eat her tail. Alternatively separate the cock.

 

[E3lx]

Hi, welcome to the forum 99 99 99 !!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, agree with chrismahon.

 

[monkfish]

hello! thanks for welcome/replies well, hes defo not him getting is mojo on! have been working nights, so have had the opportunity to watch them for most of the day. bruce (cock) and hugo (drake) have been bossing sookie around, esp when it comes to food or water. she seems to get on with the other hens fine, apart from one of the other ducks, who also seems a bit bossy around her. shes definitely the smallest/lowest bird, and thats y the pick on her a bit. theres no nudey prod when talking about the chickens, defo no tredding, but the ducks are always having sexy time!
so do you think i should by some spray? she has other feathers growing back.

 

[chrismahon]

Nettex spray is good but the stuff attacks the spray mechanism and you get it all over your hands in time. Very effective though. We bought some budgie stuff that had no effect. Poor little hen will suffer when preening as she eats the stuff as well, but better than a ripped up tail.

 

[monkfish]

ok thanks, will try that. just been outside.....and have found the problem. sookie is terrified of hugo. he chases her, she wont go with the others/eat/drink if he is about. she is eatin/drinking wen hes not there. put her in the house with him and there was such a noise!! so what to do? will the stray be enough? defo dont want to get rid of him, as he follows me everywhere :'( y is he being so mean?! and will it calm down at all?