Chickens are losing their neck feathers! (not molting)

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I add ash from my wood stove to my dirt bath. Helps kill mice and live. If you don't have a wood stove then have a little fire wait too it dies out and take all ashes and mix with dirt. If they already have mites or live try soaking their legs in olive girl. My friend told me that works well!
 
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I have the same problem now but its one hen's and it's confined in small place hope it's not molt I think I'll but her in bigger place tomorrow.
 
is it normal for them to lose feathers in the middle of the winter?
It's been 20 to 30 degrees here
I'm worried that they won't have insulation if it goes on much more
 
I noticed that about 5 of 17 of my chicks are missing feathers around their necks especially, but in a few other places as well. (Different on each bird) After reading this post, I am assuming it is feather picking. I ordered some DE and Sevin 5% as well, just to ensure its not mites or lice. I did not see any on the birds when I inspected each one and each one looked like broken feathers as well. The DE and Sevin is not a bad idea though, is it? Just to help keep an unwanted issue at bay? Also, any recommendations for increased protein feed? Just want to do whats best for the birds.
 
If it's feather picking you may see red areas - and if you see that, use BluKote to mask the red, chickens will peck at red/blood and make it worse. For protein - there are special blends of feed to support feather and hen health during molting. You can also scramble up some eggs (I add oregano and sometimes ground eggshell), feed them tuna, sardines, etc for extra protein snacks. Search for the recipe for "molt cake" or molt loaf, it's a version of meatloaf for chickens you can make. I'm dealing with one losing feathers on her neck (front) and chest - going out to clean run & coop and check others carefully for mites/lice then probably dusting everything.
 
I spent all this time making a custom dusting bath for the flock..they hopped in it, scratched around and most of them took a poop. Hopping out into their run and dust bathing. I felt so defeated, but realized they'll do what they want with or without my help and they do. The dug little holes all around it so I just ended up taking it out and using the container for hauling out sand when I change them over once a year.
 
Hi I have a Sussex with a similar problem, she seems to be broody (barely coming out of nest box) but she seems to have lost feathers from breast and most of her neck now. Is this normal broody behaviour or possibly a pest problem? Other ladies don’t have any feather loss at all so at a bit of a loss.

Thanks
 
Tom-j05 said:
Hi I have a Sussex with a similar problem, she seems to be broody (barely coming out of nest box) but she seems to have lost feathers from breast and most of her neck now. Is this normal broody behaviour or possibly a pest problem? Other ladies don’t have any feather loss at all so at a bit of a loss.

Thanks
Click to expand...
I'm curious on this too - we have one with a bald patch on her neck. The six girls all seem to be twitching and scratching so after all the reading, we've treated them with Poultry Protector twice now (days apart) and added DE to their bedding and run sand. How long does this process take?
 
This almost certainly sounds like neck louse I've had it a few times with my bantams the way I got rid of it eventually was by using diatomaceous earth
 

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