Feathers brittle on smooth hen and frizzle hen

[Heather94]

2 of my hens have developed brittle feathers on thier heads and neck. No signs of external parasites and were recently dewormed hashing safeguard. What could be causing this? The frizzle is a normal Cochin bantam frizzle, She’s not a frazzle. She’s about 16 months old. The other Is a silver laced Wyandotte. She’s about 4-5yrs. Neither are showing any other symptoms of anything being wrong. Can post a pic if needed. Thanks.

 

[sourland]

Please post pictures when you can.

 

[Heather94]

The SLW seems to have it more widespread, but the frizzle only seems to have the issue around her head and neck.

 

[Heather94]

Please post pictures when you can.

Just posted them

 

[Heather94]

Anyone??

 

[RainbowHen]

Do you have a rooster? Checked for mites or lice? What do you feed them?

 

[Heather94]

They get layer feed, plus a few veggies/scraps every few days. No signs of lice or mites. Yes a rooster. We have a few roosters, but plenty of hens that they shouldn’t be overbreeding. We have about a 1/12 ratio roo to hens.

 

[RainbowHen]

That appears to be Rooster damage. Maybe they are his favorites. If no lice or mites and they are on a balanced ration that would be my guess unless your birds are feather picking. Size of coop/run?

 

[Heather94]

My run is 50x60, coop is 12x12 plus I have several smaller coops and runs built around my main run.
Maybe so. I may try separating them for a couple of weeks or so and see if that helps. Would feather fixer feed help them?

 

[RainbowHen]

The damaged feathers will most likely remain until the next molt but the bald spots should fill in. Not sure what feather fixer is but feel free, it can't hurt to supplement.