[snowflake]

the purple spray is getian violet spray, yes they go mad for feathers ( must tickle on the way down) but its funny watching them chase around trying to eat them.

[joyfull]

No your hens are normal - lots eat feathers, cant remember if it's for the protein or calcium though  . The spray is called purple spray and the one I have is in a pump action bottle by a company called NAF. It has methyl violet and aloe vera in it which helps the healing of sore, broken and chaffed skin as well as disguising the redness. You will find it in the horsey section of a pet store. Just be carefull when spraying as you could end up purple as well 

[henrietta5]

Thanks for all the advice - will try the various suggestions !