Feather Loss?

[kreolechick]

Hi I had the same problem with mine for the longest time I couldn't get their feathers to completely grow back. It was nothing to do with them pecking one another, or not enough space. They have a big coop and outdoor space and diseases/pests was not the problem. I figured out that adding extra protein did the trick for my hens, like lentils, little bit of extra turkey meat, eggs,fish, flax, etc.. a few times a week and so on made a big difference. I know my hens don't get a lot of bugs out here in New Mexico, so I dig in my flower bed for juicy worms and other source of protein. They love it. Try adding the protein and see if that is what is missing. Good Luck!

 

[rebeccah]

Thank you for the protein tip. I give my birds those suet blocks they sell for bird feeders, but I'm going to try some meat or lentils, maybe some peanut butter? My black star-cross has stopped laying and is losing feathers big time. I had this problem 2 years ago and treated her for mites--got better. Treated for mites this time and still looks terrible! But reading that the porcupine look is new feathers coming in makes me feel much better!

Thanks!

 

[Mama duck 8]

Thats could only be one thing... The roosters are getting on her non stop ..

 

[rebeccah]

No roosters. I forgot to add that she is flaking a lot, too.

 

[fricknfricassee]

Thank you for these photos. I have 6 month old Buff Orpingtons and Rhode Island Red hens that are looking the very same way right now. I have one rooster for 21 hens, so I
don't feel that the girls are being "overly mated". I use the "NO MITE" strips (5 of them) in the "pop door" so they all get treated when they go in and out all day long. I am
certain that my flock doesn't have a mite problem. This seems to be a normal process that chickens go through. Again, thanks for the great photos!