Bald Butts, why? (pics)

[Gazinga]

Out of a flock of 12 hens, all healthy, there are now 2 of them with bald butts. Why what happened? Molt, picking? I examined them very closely and no damage, or signs of any sickness. Just bald butts.....whats the deal?

 

[luvmybuff]

I bought some Golden Comets about 4 months ago and out of 11 I had 1 hen exactly like that. Still she has not grown any feathers in that area I would also like to know.

 

[Gazinga]

hopefully some of these great BYC'ers can help us out....

 

[Judy]

Check for mites/lice after dark, on the roost. You may not see all the types during the day.

http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/mf2387.pdf

 

[Gazinga]

i clean with wd-40 on the roosts, vasaline hte chooks up every 2 weeks, and use DE in the coop and run....ill check tonight but im not sure it would be mites or lice.....but ill check for sure, thanks

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

They may be starting to molt, or are pulling their feathers out in an attempt to cool off (maybe). I'm leaning towards the molting, though.

 

[Jenski]

I would watch for feather pickers. Do they roost where hens below them could pick at them?

 

[animal nut]

I will be interested to hear more on this topic. I have 2 right now that look the same. I had treated them for mites so I do not think that is what is going on with them. I am leaning towards molting. Tell me if I am right?

 

[joanie_maine]

Dust them...all of them

And check their nests, clean out the nests and put in whatever dust you prefer to use....DE or Sevin.

 

[bigtooks]

I have 2 bald butt girls also...they have roosting issues...when they get on the roost the other hens just pick and pick at them until they get down and then they end up roosting on the hen box...those poor girls will persistently get on the roost every night and every night they get picked at til they get down...poor babies