1 yr. olds with naked butts?

[llnmaw]

Hmm, it's possible that you could have a feather picker. You said that all of the birds have the bald spot except for one, right?

I've certainly considered it, but really doubt the feather picker to be the one without the missing feathers. She is the bottom of the pecking order. Not to say she is not retaliating when we are not looking. We do spend lots of time with our chickens and I've never seen her do anything. Our top hen is aggressive/mounts the others all the time and even she is not a feather picker.

Now, I noticed that some of the the feathers seem to be growing back......

I suspect this is going to wind up like our limpy chicken who limped for 6-7 months and just simply got better. Never ever did figure that one out.

So is it safe to say that if I do not see evidence of critters I do not need to treat? If the feathers all come back, we shall just pretend it never happened??

 

[RedIII]

Well, I would just keep it in the back of your mind, in case of future incidents. If the feathers grow back and the birds seem okay, then I wouldn't worry about treating them for pests.

A couple of questions, though. First, do your birds roost somewhere at night that they're off the ground? I have been told that sometimes, rodents can pester hens who can't get away while on the ground (such as a sick or injured hen). The other question, and I'm very sorry to ask it, but: Are you sure someone else isn't messing with your birds? I know, it's a nasty idea, but I still have to ask.

 

[llnmaw]

Well, I would just keep it in the back of your mind, in case of future incidents. If the feathers grow back and the birds seem okay, then I wouldn't worry about treating them for pests.

A couple of questions, though. First, do your birds roost somewhere at night that they're off the ground? I have been told that sometimes, rodents can pester hens who can't get away while on the ground (such as a sick or injured hen). The other question, and I'm very sorry to ask it, but: Are you sure someone else isn't messing with your birds? I know, it's a nasty idea, but I still have to ask.

At night they are on a roost....in their secure coop.

There is nobody (a person that is, as I assume you are talking about)who is bothering them. I'm 100% positive. We are home all.the.time. Home school kids. Husband works from home. I'm here too and 80% of the day we are outdoors, at least some of us are, and much of that time the chickens are around us as we work/play.

I guess I'll keep my eye on it and take it as it comes...I appreciate the suggestions of possible options! I'd like to know what caused this.