Torn up Chicken Feathers? I dont think its molting.....

CascadiaRiver

Songster
9 Years
Dec 12, 2014
1,665
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231
Pacific Northwest
Our birds have already molted and for the most part finished but on a few spots on some of our hens there are feathers that are kinda tore up on the ends (the nice round part at the end not the skinny part that connects to the bird) and while I have just been plucking them as if they're unmolted feathers of last year my mom thinks it may be a bug.

We haven't had any bug action in a while so we're kinda due but the thing is is there a parasite/bug/mite that eats the ENDS of feathers? the fat ends? Or did they just not molt 100%?
 
I've had that happen to my hens that roost on the top bar in the coop. It was because their tails were rubbing the wall ;)


Is it ALL feathers, or are they just in a certain area?

Do you have a rooster? They can tear feathers...


What feed do they get? Some BOSS van help keep feathers shiny and healthy, or maybe more protein, like soy pellets would help.

Mites and lice can make them itchy and they'll tear feathers while scratching themselves.


They could also be venturing into some brambles or bushes while free ranging.


Just a few ideas :)
 
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Also have raggedy tail feathers on cock bird from rubbing on wall behind roosts....
.....so where on bird is a good question.

How old are birds?
Can you post pics of feathers?
 
I've had that happen to my hens that roost on the top bar in the coop. It was because their tails were rubbing the wall
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Is it ALL feathers, or are they just in a certain area?

Do you have a rooster? They can tear feathers...


What feed do they get? Some BOSS van help keep feathers shiny and healthy, or maybe more protein, like soy pellets would help.

Mites and lice can make them itchy and they'll tear feathers while scratching themselves.


They could also be venturing into some brambles or bushes while free ranging.


Just a few ideas
smile.png
Its on two hens, one is maybe 2 years and the other is a year on Easter. (its a Welsummer and a Bantam D'Anver)
We feed them a boss heavy scratch mix everyday (about 2-3 cups? spread out for the whole flock of 19)
We've inspected them for mites and such and have seen nothing, they also don't seem uncomfortable or itchy.
We live in a suburban neighborhood and they free-range our backyard and there aren't any brambles, we even got rid of our Rose bush a few months ago which would have been the only thing LOL


Also have raggedy tail feathers on cock bird from rubbing on wall behind roosts....
.....so where on bird is a good question.

How old are birds?
Can you post pics of feathers?
Birds are 2 and about one :) On the older welsummer its on her shoulders and like 3 feathers in her tail (not the major ones just in the little butt fluff where a roosters saddle would be) and just a few here and there on the younger D'Anver, Its dark now and they're in bed but I can try and get some pictures tomorrow.

I can GUARANTEE its not our rooster doing is as he is a hen pecked hen raised bantam cochin cockerel, and not a single hen even lets him NEAR them let alone to just flirt with them, poor baby xD
 
Just scratch and sunflower seeds? No regular chicken feed? That may well be your issue right there. Not enough protein for nice, glossy feathers.
 

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