unsual feather/weight loss in winter mites? or something else?

Date sort Score sort
Farmerhen

Farmerhen

Hatching
8 Years
Jan 14, 2012
7
0
7




This is my sister's four year old mix breed hen. Three weeks ago she started suffering from unusual feather loss and lost quiet a bit of weight. My sister brought her in the house to keep her away from the other chickens, who are not suffering from any of this. She feeds her chickens egg layer pellets. Is this due to mites? other chickens picking on her? food?
 
It looks a lot like she could be broody or wanting to sit on eggs to hatch them. They tend to pull out feathers on their abdomen and chest. If not broody, then I would inspect her for signs of tiny bugs (lice and mites) or their eggs. If you see signs, get some permethrin 10% spray or the garden dust, and treat every 7 days for a couple of times. Here are some good articles about what to look for:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html
http://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8162.pdf
 

Similar threads

C
Please help me!! I have a chicken losing her feathers and I dont know why.
2
Replies
11
Views
1K
Wyorp Rock
Wyorp Rock
J
    • Like
Hen lost neck feathers
Replies
4
Views
255
Jules333
J
K
Marek’s Disease? Or something else?
2 3
Replies
23
Views
1K
Eggcessive
Eggcessive
R
Ragged feathers
Replies
2
Views
994
SarahDucharme
S
Certified Chicken Lover
Feather loss, can this be a sign of mites?
Replies
4
Views
973
nuthatched
nuthatched

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom