Arbutus Peregrine
Songster
Question about MITES!!!
First, I'm guessing I don't have them...but wanted to check with you all, just in case.
My chickens are exactly 25 weeks old today. I was holding one of my D'Uccle pullets (who has been getting more cuddly lately) and I noticed she is missing a ton of feathers under her beak--top of her neck and her "chin." Then I looked at my D'Uccle cockerel and he is the same. I picked up my other two D'Uccle pullets and one shows some signs of possibly missing a few feathers in the same area and the third doesn't seem to be missing feathers. Now these four are very bonded! I always think it's amazing in a mixed flock...how the breeds still often prefer each other! The only ones of mine who seem less "prejudiced" (and actually they all really do fine with each other...) are the Blue Splash Rosecombs and Dutch--maybe because they just look so much alike except for their combs! Anyhow, the D'Uccle rooster has been over-preened before by the girls...and this is my first hunch as to what is happening. They nearly pulled out all his chest feathers about two months ago!! They clean his face quite often, so perhaps this is just over-preening??? And maybe they are doing it to each other now? Just wanted to check in with you all and see what you think. No signs of feather loss anywhere with any of the others. Thanks for any advice!! Couple more things... There are no close-by chickens to me... the closest are two blocks away. The entire chicken house is new this year--so no old chicken material. No chickens have lived here that I know about for at least 12 years. I haven't been visiting any chickens or bringing any potential bugs home...that I know about! We do have wild birds and squirrels, but since I haven't let my birds free range in many months... they don't really have contact. I hope to let them free range again next summer after I put some bird netting up. Thanks again!
First, I'm guessing I don't have them...but wanted to check with you all, just in case.
My chickens are exactly 25 weeks old today. I was holding one of my D'Uccle pullets (who has been getting more cuddly lately) and I noticed she is missing a ton of feathers under her beak--top of her neck and her "chin." Then I looked at my D'Uccle cockerel and he is the same. I picked up my other two D'Uccle pullets and one shows some signs of possibly missing a few feathers in the same area and the third doesn't seem to be missing feathers. Now these four are very bonded! I always think it's amazing in a mixed flock...how the breeds still often prefer each other! The only ones of mine who seem less "prejudiced" (and actually they all really do fine with each other...) are the Blue Splash Rosecombs and Dutch--maybe because they just look so much alike except for their combs! Anyhow, the D'Uccle rooster has been over-preened before by the girls...and this is my first hunch as to what is happening. They nearly pulled out all his chest feathers about two months ago!! They clean his face quite often, so perhaps this is just over-preening??? And maybe they are doing it to each other now? Just wanted to check in with you all and see what you think. No signs of feather loss anywhere with any of the others. Thanks for any advice!! Couple more things... There are no close-by chickens to me... the closest are two blocks away. The entire chicken house is new this year--so no old chicken material. No chickens have lived here that I know about for at least 12 years. I haven't been visiting any chickens or bringing any potential bugs home...that I know about! We do have wild birds and squirrels, but since I haven't let my birds free range in many months... they don't really have contact. I hope to let them free range again next summer after I put some bird netting up. Thanks again!
