We've had Bitsy the BR Bantam since last November. she started losing feathers on her back after her sister died. They were close and always ran together. I thought maybe the roos had rubbed her back raw, she was avoiding them. So I put her in a pen, this past Saturday, so that her feathers could grow back out. This usually works, we had another hen that was this way and once her feathers grew out again of course she had protection and she was fine with it. Anyway, Bitsy's feathers started to grow back, she's been eating and drinking fine, and laying. But today she pulled out all her newly grown feathers and made a bigger bare patch on her back and it's irritated.. I'm wondering if it's a nervous habit, she hasn't been able to run with her roo and her friends, and she's by herself in a tractor during the day. At night she's in a pen in the barn, she can hear and see the others, but she's separated from them. Or do the new feathers itch when the come in, or could it be from something like lice?
I just dewormed her a few days ago, so I'm reluctant to use Ivermec. I don't see any evidence of lice or mites on her, but they may be there, of course.
Should I try treating her with Ivermec even though I just dewormed her? Try a hen apron so she can't pull the feathers? Or is there something I should use to soothe the bald spot? she also has a dust bath available to her, and i could try just putting some insectrin or ash in the bath to kill possible lice/ mites? Or could this be totally a nervous habit? Shes a very nervous little hen.
I just dewormed her a few days ago, so I'm reluctant to use Ivermec. I don't see any evidence of lice or mites on her, but they may be there, of course.
Should I try treating her with Ivermec even though I just dewormed her? Try a hen apron so she can't pull the feathers? Or is there something I should use to soothe the bald spot? she also has a dust bath available to her, and i could try just putting some insectrin or ash in the bath to kill possible lice/ mites? Or could this be totally a nervous habit? Shes a very nervous little hen.