Advice on Our Hybrids loosing neck feathers

[meandwolf]

Hi,
We got 4 Hybrids 5 months ago & all doing well, laying every day. Noticed last month a few were loosing feathers on their bums, we found some lice & have treated them 3 times now, we have disinfected out the coop & run area & do seem to have got on top of this problem. WE treated them with powder, though we bought stuff to dip them in but havent used it yet as the 2 bad ones the skin was to raw, 2 of the birds were pretty bad & have lost alot of feathers on their bums, legs & tummy's. While one bird had a few the larger one seems to be clear.

Anyway, One of the infested birds has been loosing neck feathers, it seems to be getting worse. The quills are still there it is only the feathers that have gone but one particular bird seems unhappy & will not let us get a good look at the neck? We are worried there may be another infestation & wonder if we have enough space for all 4 or if it is a cleaning issue.

Anyone any ideas or thoughts, we are new to this chicken lark & are worried the bird is becoming stressed

Cheers

 

[Kanga77510]

Do you have a rooster in the group? When he breeds, he'll grab hold of the hen by her "shoulders" and even the neck feathers. It's not pretty, and can get serious.

 

[meandwolf]

No, no Roosters, all girls

 

[birdparadise]

Lice can be an ongoing issue, especially if you live in a year round warm climate as we do. Every two to three months everyone gets powdered as a preventive. I go so far as to gently push their feathers backwards to make sure I am getting it on their skin where the little buggers live.