Bad cut and possible molt. Help please!!!

[Micmac1234]

Hi everyone!

First thing I’m look for advice on is a wound. One of my australorps had a cut and the other birds were pecking the blood so I put her in the hospital until it dried up and then released her but kept an eye on her. I just got home from a walk and noticed they were pecking her again and she wasn’t even moving (not a good sign). Anyways, I went out there and it’s pretty bad. She’s in the hospital again. Any advice of what to do?

Second, when do chickens molt? My buff rock’s feathers would make you think she is molting but she’s not even a year yet (will be soon though). I also do not have a rooster.

Pictures of both issues included.

 

[Ted Brown]

DE is a waste of time and money.

You need permethrin at a minimum to deal with mites. Mites initially go to the weakest birds but will spread.

Comes in both powder and spray concentrate. Given it is winter use powder unless she is inside and warm.

 

[Micmac1234]

View attachment 2996341View attachment 2996342

No worries, it took me a bit to realize my lowest girl wasn't shaggy but was in fact broken feathers from being picked on. I took your photos and circled some examples of broken feathers. From what I've seen in our flock, a way the girls communicate is to either peck at the head or peck at the back. Back pecking seems to be more related to pulling and when it happens the feathers actually break off so you get the v-shapes at the end of the feather. Pullet feathers should usually be rounded so the fact that these girls are missing a bunch of their outer layer and they appear broken it makes me think either there's a lot more squabbling going on than you have seen or they are pecking at the feathers themselves due to some irritant.


I haven't seen mites in person, just read some articles. Could also be lice not mites and the black spots could be droppings. Lice tend to go further up into the feathers and not live down at the surface, only coming down for feeding time. If I recall, there are some mites that only come out at night and tend to stay on the roosts during the day. So you could see dried blood as black spots (similar to with fleas in cats/dogs. I've read mites and lice tend to be around the vent and under the wings.

Missing neck feathers... do you have any roos by chance?

Now that you mention the “v” shaped feather, I have noticed that! I’m thinking now the head lady is picking on her as well as the black Australorp. She causes my problems but she’s my best layer

I do not have a roo…

I need to do a thorough inspection for lice and mites tomorrow near her vent. My dogs had lice years ago so I’m more familiar with what they looked like and I didn’t think I saw anything but I’m going to check again.

 

[Ted Brown]

@Micmac1234

Mites are microscopic, do appear to be black spots. In my experience they more normally are present near the vent, under wings. They do move although that is not always readily apparent; if you handle the bird they often transfer to hands/arms, visible against skin or white/light colored clothing.

My first experience sounds like yours but we do not see what we do not know. Take your time and do a very careful examination, move the feathers gently aside and keep your eyes open. Movement of a microscopic speck is not like a moving ant.

Quite normal to only have a few infested.

Good luck!

 

[Eggcessive]

Is there any overcrowding or boredom from not getting outside to roam around? What are you feeding? How did the australorp’s wound occur? Is she normally picked on? The feather loss could be from feather picking, but I would check for lice and mites. Do any others have feather loss? I would clean the wound with Chlorhexidene or Vetericyn, and apply plain Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic Ointment twice a day. Keep her separated in a dog crate with food and water.

 

[sourland]

Your birds are feather pecking/plucking - approaching cannibalism in the injured hen. Are you feeding a balanced diet, and do the birds have adequate space? It may be necessary to apply Pin Less Peepers to break the habit.

 

[sourland]

There is not other bird with feather loss, just her!

The Buff Orpington in your picture is also being feather pecked/plucked. How many birds are there, and how much space do they have?

 

[Ted Brown]

Interesting! Can I get it at Murdoch’s or Tractor Supply? Once I confirm it’s actually mites of course…

Tractor Supply has it in both forms. Not expensive, Check online at your local.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Have you wiped the underside of the roost at night with a paper towel at night? I understand if you get red smears, that's an indication of mites. The red is blood.

 

[Micmac1234]

Have you wiped the underside of the roost at night with a paper towel at night? I understand if you get red smears, that's an indication of mites. The red is blood.

I’m going to tomorrow morning! I’m going to inspect her vent area and wings really closely as well. If if was mites, it’d be odd that other birds aren’t showing signs right?