2 bare butt chickens

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diana507

diana507

Chirping
Apr 9, 2015
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Central Maine
Not quite sure where to post this. I went to the coop this morning to find 2 of my isa browns with bare butts. I didn't notice it there yesterday. They are 6 months old. Not quite sure what's going on. First time having chickens and haven't had a problem with them at all. 1 of them usually has a lil wet poop on her butt feathers but not bad. The other one haven't noticed anything about her. They are still laying well. Here's a pic, would appreciate some insight...
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Have you checked them closely for signs of external parasites? Often the little buggars are most concentrated around the vent area and that can lead to enough irritation to cause plucking bare. In this photo the exposed skin doesn't look to irritated - what does it look and feel like in person? Did there appear to be a lot of feathers/fluff in the coop/run or does it appear that the feathers/fluff just disappeared (ie were consumed)? Is the one that has been showing some wet waste on the fluff the only bird in the group who has shown that?
 
I would spend some time quietly watching them to see if there's any feather picking going on, I would also make sure they are on a higher protein ration, sex links tend to need a higher protein because of the high egg production, if they don't get enough they will feather pick or eat eggs. Feather picking usually starts by the vent because the hen can't see the other one coming.
 
Ol Grey Mare said:
Have you checked them closely for signs of external parasites?  Often the little buggars are most concentrated around the vent area and that can lead to enough irritation to cause plucking bare.  In this photo the exposed skin doesn't look to irritated - what does it look and feel like in person?  Did there appear to be a lot of feathers/fluff in the coop/run or does it appear that the feathers/fluff just disappeared (ie were consumed)?  Is the one that has been showing some wet waste on the fluff the only bird in the group who has shown that?
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I checked their bare spots this morning and just a small pink tint to the area. Her and one other I had noticed it on. I'm down there alot with them and never noticed any feather picking going on. I am going to check them for mites and lice tonight after my husband gets home from work. I only find the occasional feather in the coop or run. I've also kept a close eye on their poop when I clean their poop board in the morning and haven't seen any signs of worms. Can I dust them in DE if there are any signs of mites or lice?
 
oldhenlikesdogs said:
I would spend some time quietly watching them to see if there's any feather picking going on, I would also make sure they are on a higher protein ration, sex links tend to need a higher protein because of the high egg production, if they don't get enough they will feather pick or eat eggs. Feather picking usually starts by the vent because the hen can't see the other one coming.
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I spend alot of time watching them but I will more. Their feed is 16% protein. It's layer crumble. Is that too low?
 
I like a higher protein, 18-20, helps to avoid some problems, plus it gives me some Lee way to feed scratch and other things without worrying. If you see no picking or mites it might just be part of the baby molts and will grow back in.
 
oldhenlikesdogs said:
I like a higher protein, 18-20, helps to avoid some problems, plus it gives me some Lee way to feed scratch and other things without worrying. If you see no picking or mites it might just be part of the baby molts and will grow back in.
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I normally get my feed at TSC. I will have to look for a higher protein one. Do they normally molt around 6 months?
 
They don't actually molt but as they grow they are exchanging smaller baby feathers for adult feathers, it's a ongoing thing I think until 8-9 months. If they didn't they would have very small feathers, I personally like feeding an all flock ration, Tractor Supply has a few different brands, Purina is one, I tried dumor once, my chickens refused to eat it. Always provide a separate bowl of oyster shells.
 
They have a feeder of oyster shell always available. They get a little scratch when I let them out in the morning. I also feed them greens off and on. Baby spinach is their favorite. They are on dumor layer crumble. They wouldn't eat the pellets. I just bought a bag of the dumor last night I will go look at other brands. They have started wasting alot again.
 
TSC usually carries Purina Flock Raiser which is 20%, and usually the crumbles, not pellets. This would need to supplemented with free choice oyster shell or crushed egg shells for the extra calcium it lacks. They also carry a Dumor 24% chick starter for gamebirds that is good to use for supplementing layer feed. The Purina feeds now also contain probiotics which is a plus.

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