Ginny is our Golden Laced Wyandotte. A few weeks ago, it became apparent to me that she could no longer live with the other girls as she picked up the bad habit of feather picking. It all started when her and her sisters were going through their final molts as pullets. Those new pin feathers were enticing, so enticing that she found them irresistible. She began to peck at her younger sisters removing the feathers over their tails and from around their vents while sparing the older flock.

We increased the boredom busters to try and curtail her. We added heads of cabbage, two flock blocks, and treats they had to “work” for. We increased their protein by sharing meal worms and sunflower seeds. Unfortunately, no matter what you do, nothing works. She needed a chicken time out. We put her in our small chicken coop. Our plan was to return her as soon as her sisters were completely re-feathered.Yesterday, I heard a ruckus outside as a snow storm was occurring outside. The sound was different. I needed to go out. As I opened the door I saw a sly fox sprint across the yard. I think the chickens were spooked. Everyone was protected in their coops and runs, but I had to make sure.

I checked on Ginny first. She was huddled inside the small coop. She was on the roost facing away from me. I could see blood dripping. She was scared. Her comb and beak were bleeding. Part of her comb was ripped away and the top layer of her beak was damaged.I immediately reached for our chicken first aid kit. It had everything I needed. I gently coated the bleeding comb and beak with cornstarch. The bleeding stopped instantly. I sat in the snow and held Ginny in my arms and lap. She began to calm, as if she knew I was helping. I wiped off and cleaned what I could with Vetericyn. I left her beak alone because I wanted to see what her body would do before I intervened. I returned her to the coop and added some vitamins and electrolytes to her drinking water.  As it was almost 4 pm, I locked her inside the coop for the evening. It was getting dark and I wanted her to rest. I would assess her again in the morning.