American tufted buff with feather/skin “issue”..?

[m1chelle1]

Hi all,

I have a new 2 year old American tufted buff and she seems to have some skin and feather issues She seems to fairly constantly itch her skin (more than just preening) and she has quite a few broken feathers. It’s strange, it’s like feathers that break in half and the remainder are on her still. At first I thought maybe she’s molting. I don’t think that’s the case anymore. I thought, maybe worms, but I haven’t seen any in her stool. All the other geese are very healthy. Anyone have any ideas? Was thinking maybe allergies, not sure geese can have allergies. I’ve never had a chicken with feather issues like this, so I’m curious if anyone has had anything like this. Kind of strange, I know, I just wanted to ask and see what ideas there may be. I’ll post a picture of her. Maybe get some more when I’m home from work today.
Update: added more pictures of her, and her next to her mate, who is very healthy.

TIA
M

 

[Goosebaby]

The first thing to check for is mites, they can be hard to spot.

If it isn’t mites my second guess would be a bacterial infection of the skin or an internal parasite issue like giardia, it sometimes causes itchiness, some individuals can be asymptomatic.

If that isn’t the issue I would wiponfpder about an underlying health issue causeing malabsorption, and brittle feathers as a result.

 

[m1chelle1]

The first thing to check for is mites, they can be hard to spot.

If it isn’t mites my second guess would be a bacterial infection of the skin or an internal parasite issue like giardia, it sometimes causes itchiness, some individuals can be asymptotic.

If that isn’t the issue I would wiponfpder about an underlying health issue causeing malabsorption, and brittle feathers as a result.

ok, thank you. Yeah, I am worried about her being malnourished, seems she eats so much! I dont know if she just likes to eat, or if it is a lack of nutrient uptake in her system. I did check her for mites, didnt see any.....not sure if I got a 'great' look because she isnt used to being held, or people. Any advice on a good area mites like to hang out? I was also thinking about checking the vent for lice, too (which I havent done). I do have poultry dust... was considering a permetherin dip for her to see if that helped. Im hesitant to just try all sorts of things for her, since I really dont know yet what the problem is. All my other geese are so healthy and easy, so I just am not sure. I really appreciate the response

 

[m1chelle1]

The first thing to check for is mites, they can be hard to spot.

If it isn’t mites my second guess would be a bacterial infection of the skin or an internal parasite issue like giardia, it sometimes causes itchiness, some individuals can be asymptotic.

If that isn’t the issue I would wiponfpder about an underlying health issue causeing malabsorption, and brittle feathers as a result.

Oh, also, i have been adding DE to the feed, just in case, and I have been adding the good poultry vitamins to the waters every other water and to the food as well. So they are all definitely getting plenty of vitamins. I just cut up a pumpkin from the garden to give to all of the birds, but it seems that the geese didnt eat much (if any) of it. The chickens liked it most (of course, lol)

 

[Goosebaby]

Mites tend to like to hide under the wings from what I’ve heard, goose down might make it tricky to spot any. Sometimes you can find hem by placing some white paper in their area at night and coming back with a flashlight later you can spot them on it.

A few mites are normal, but if you find a lot that’s a problem, if it isn’t mites she probably does have an underlying issue going on.

 

[m1chelle1]

Mites tend to like to hide under the wings from what I’ve heard, goose down might make it tricky to spot any. Sometimes you can find hem by placing some white paper in their area at night and coming back with a flashlight later you can spot them on it.

A few mites are normal, but if you find a lot that’s a problem, if it isn’t mites she probably does have an underlying issue going on.

Ok, thank you so much for your help!!