4 hens losing back feathers!

[Ozzey Osbourne]

Hello. I have 4 hens about 1 year old that are starting to lose some back feathers and have started to eat less.
Their coop is about 5x9 with 4 nesting boxes which I clean every morning. I switched their pellets to granules and supplement with cracked corn, treats dried meal worms. They are pecking at their own feathers, and have not found anything that could makes me think of pests.
I will look more closely tomorrow. Also, there have been owls watching my girls lately!
Any info would be greatly appreciated

 

[Kiki]

First I would advise you to read through this:
http://articles.extension.org/pages/69065/feeding-chickens-for-egg-production
Feeding corn may be making them full on the corn and causing them to not eat the complete feed.
Do you have a rooster too?
Have you double checked them at nighttime with a flashlight for mites?

 

[Farmgal101]

Hello. I have 4 hens about 1 year old that are starting to lose some back feathers and have started to eat less.
Their coop is about 5x9 with 4 nesting boxes which I clean every morning. I switched their pellets to granules and supplement with cracked corn, treats dried meal worms. They are pecking at their own feathers, and have not found anything that could makes me think of pests.
I will look more closely tomorrow. Also, there have been owls watching my girls lately!
Any info would be greatly appreciated

Maybe there molting

 

[Ozzey Osbourne]

Maybe there molting

Thought that was in the fall?
I live in east central Florida.

 

[Kiki]

Chickens can molt any time of year.

 

[Farmgal101]

Parasites and Disease. In addition to moulting, the only other occasion when featherloss can be flock-wide is when your chickens have a disease or are infected with parasites. Parasites can cause your hens to lose their feathers and also stop laying eggs. The most common parasites are lice and red mites. It could be that the roosters are mating and pulling the feathers out as well.They can molt anytime during the year

 

[Kiki]

Parasite/Disease/Molting and poor feeding/Rooster abuse

 

[Ozzey Osbourne]

Parasites and Disease. In addition to moulting, the only other occasion when featherloss can be flock-wide is when your chickens have a disease or are infected with parasites. Parasites can cause your hens to lose their feathers and also stop laying eggs. The most common parasites are lice and red mites. It could be that the roosters are mating and pulling the feathers out as well.They can molt anytime during the year

I can't have roosters where I live. I will have to check closer for the parasites tomorrow. What should I be looking for?

 

[Kiki]

Check at night time with a flash light...you are looking for bugs. Look over all parts of the body.
Read up on proper feeding too.

 

[Ozzey Osbourne]

Thank you! Will do!