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Feathers missing. Are mites to blame?

post #1 of 5
2/24/12 at 7:09pm
Thread Starter 

I have a Deleware who is missinng feathers in a couple of patches on the side of her neck, as though they were worn away.  I also have a black austrolorpe who is missing a patch feathers all around her rear end.  Any idea what could cause that/ Could it be mites?  I have five other chickens who are unaffected.

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post #2 of 5
2/24/12 at 11:26pm

It could be molting -- even though chickens normally molt in the fall/early winter, they really do molt whenever their body tells them to.  My BA that was hatched in early May started molting about three weeks ago.  She first lost everything on her bum, then in patches on her head and neck. After lots of googling - since we never saw any sign of mites and have DE in the run and coop - I learned that hens that mature late summer/early fall typically molt in late winter/early spring. 

Meg - dedicated wife to a LEO,  momma to Riley {small terrier mix}, Patty & Selma {australorp hens}, and Marge/Baby {RIR pullet}
self-employed graphic designer, adventurist, and crafter.
follow our adventures in travel & food at {our misadventures}
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Meg - dedicated wife to a LEO,  momma to Riley {small terrier mix}, Patty & Selma {australorp hens}, and Marge/Baby {RIR pullet}
self-employed graphic designer, adventurist, and crafter.
follow our adventures in travel & food at {our misadventures}
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post #3 of 5
2/25/12 at 3:50am

do you have a rooster?  If so, that is probably the problem.  If there are mites, look at the base of the feathers and should see them crawling on the skin.

My Granddaughter Kilee loves the chickens and knows them all by their names.  Country life is wonderful!
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My Granddaughter Kilee loves the chickens and knows them all by their names.  Country life is wonderful!
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post #4 of 5
2/25/12 at 5:39am
Thread Starter 

No, I don't have a rooster, but I'll check the skin

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post #5 of 5
2/25/12 at 6:37am

My best layers - two Golden Comets - always lost the feathers along their neck. Once they lost them, they didn't regrow until after the next molt. They looked scrawny but were perfectly healthy. Feather loss due to mites and lice will usually occur in the vent area first. (for lice pictures and advice go here: http://www.hencam.com/henblog/2010/05/of-lice-and-hens/) Feather pecking will usually be seen first at the base of the tail. Pecking due to bullying will usually be seen on the head. Broody hens will pull out feathers along their breast. Many reasons for feather loss!

Terry Golson

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Terry Golson

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BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures › Feathers missing. Are mites to blame?