I have posted on several posts before about some of my chickens looking kind of ratty and what the cause could be. I have looked to see if I can spot any feathers or mites and cannot seem to see anything. I have about 6-7 chickens out of my 18 that the feathers on their back in front of their tails have started to look ? fluffed up, then thinning. I have one chicken with a bare back in this area which does not appear to have gotten worse, and seems like some feathers are starting to come back in. I was looking closely tonight at some of the chickens with this problems and it appears that the feathers are "choppy" looking, like in half or broken off. Do you think this is from the other hens, the rooster, ect? I currently feed layer pellets. I think I will switch them over to the gamebird crumble. I believe this has the higher protein amount in it. We should also be putting up the new chicken pen area in the next couple of weeks, so hopefully more land to roam during the day will make them happier. I dont like to let them out of their pen when I'm not home because unfort. our dog keeps slipping her run. Now fatalities in a year, but not taking any chances. She has gotten off her line when I have been in the yard. She stopped when I yelled at her to, so thats improvement, and she managed to be in the yard with me watching her. She just has to be constantly reminded! Ok, on to another subject, I have a RIR that has been looking lousy. Same things on the feathers, back and one area on her front neck. Her vent appears to be bright red all around it and looks like it is bulging. Egg bound do you think?
Whats up with my chickens feathers!
I will bring it up for a more knowlegable reply. I can't help you, but I'm sure someone else can .
Thanks, I know its late. I'll check in in the morning. I was looking at the other post about the rooster spurs being to long. My rooster will be 2 this spring and I have never trimmed his spurs, but would that be a cause of feathers on the back coming out???? I'm so baffled! I should hopefully have a little free time over the next few days (Free time, what is that???!), so I can tend a little more closely to these guys and do any necessary treatments. I think when I get home from work tomorrow afternoon I will give the RIR a warm bath and see if that changes anything with her.
Have they molted yet this year? But it does sound more like a rooster problem.
I dont remember a specific time of ever seeing them moult. Moult was my first thought too. My egg production would certainly reflect that. 19 hens and I am getting 10-12 eggs per day. Seems kind of lousy, but I have nothing to compare it to.
OK, you said LOUS-Y twice, have you checked for lice?
it seems you are referring to grown chickens, so yes add protein to their diet. and find out who is feather eating... also give them lots of greens and some sunflower seeds and a little barley...
are they ant-sy? nervous like? chamomile tea will settle them down and make them feel happy...
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Yes, I have checked for lice, several times! I dont see any eggs on the base of feathers, no sign of bugs. I have looked on their backs where feathers seem roughed up and getting sparse, I have checked by the vent areas. Nothing that I can see. I have checked on the feet, I have checked on their meat, I have checked them on the rail, I have checked them on their tail. I I have checked here of there, I have checked everywhere! Sorry, had to get into my Dr.Sues mode!! They dont seem antsy at all, but it certainly wouldnt hurt to try the chamomille. I work all da, so I dont get to observe them during the day. When I do observe them, Iam not seing anyone picking on each other, so I am quite baffled. Someone has to be up to no good.
Mites are so tiny they can be very hard to see but can usaully be found around the vent of your bird. Very tiny. Check them at night with a flashlight. I seven dust mine 3 or 4 times a year and I would give them some wormer. I use Wazine. Dust around there nest boxes as well. Give some fresh veggies for added vitamins. Another sign of mites or worms are pale faces. Hope this helps.