Bare Back Hens

[LondonKallie]

So It's been a few months since my other post. My chickens got infested with lice at the beginning of summer and I had to treat my whole flock for it. When that happened I had noticed their backs were bare. At that time I had 5 hens and 2 roosters (one rooster grew up and didn't know it was a rooster until it was mounting and I had 2 hens killed by raccoon through fence) ANYWAYS. I was told that most likely the bare back was either because 1 I had too small of a rooster to hen ratio or 2 the mites/lice.

I covered their backs with chicken saddles, but during the lice invasion this just caused them to lay the eggs on the undersides of the saddles so I had to take them off until the infestation was over. When it was over and I placed saddles back on them, they would either get too irritated by the saddles that they'd rip them off, the rooster would get them off or it would start to rub the feathers off on their shoulders of the wings -_-

NOW I have 1 rooster to 12 hens. Yet these original 5 still cannot seem to get their feathers grown back. I feel awful for them because I don't want them to be sunburned and my beautiful chickens look like they are a half plucked chicken ready to be served on a platter. I check for lice eggs very often, I don't have ANY right now. I have no idea what else this could be. I could always lock my rooster up - but I don't feel like he’s viciously going after these 5 anymore especially since he has 12 to choose from and he’s to big to get through to one of the sections that the hens go to graze in during the day.

Could it just be feathers aren't growing back in? Is there a way to speed up feather growth? Should I just cull them?? I don't want to just because they lack feathers, I'm very attached to them, but I don't know if it's bad in the long run for sunburn or exposed skin that could be injured easily.

Either way I'm at a loss. I can get pictures tomorrow if need be.

 

[Shaleen Ann Brown]

I don't have much experience in this area but i dont think you need to cull them...... Try manna pro spray for lice

 

[Grace8269]

So It's been a few months since my other post. My chickens got infested with lice at the beginning of summer and I had to treat my whole flock for it. When that happened I had noticed their backs were bare. At that time I had 5 hens and 2 roosters (one rooster grew up and didn't know it was a rooster until it was mounting and I had 2 hens killed by raccoon through fence) ANYWAYS. I was told that most likely the bare back was either because 1 I had too small of a rooster to hen ratio or 2 the mites/lice.

I covered their backs with chicken saddles, but during the lice invasion this just caused them to lay the eggs on the undersides of the saddles so I had to take them off until the infestation was over. When it was over and I placed saddles back on them, they would either get too irritated by the saddles that they'd rip them off, the rooster would get them off or it would start to rub the feathers off on their shoulders of the wings -_-

NOW I have 1 rooster to 12 hens. Yet these original 5 still cannot seem to get their feathers grown back. I feel awful for them because I don't want them to be sunburned and my beautiful chickens look like they are a half plucked chicken ready to be served on a platter. I check for lice eggs very often, I don't have ANY right now. I have no idea what else this could be. I could always lock my rooster up - but I don't feel like he’s viciously going after these 5 anymore especially since he has 12 to choose from and he’s to big to get through to one of the sections that the hens go to graze in during the day.

Could it just be feathers aren't growing back in? Is there a way to speed up feather growth? Should I just cull them?? I don't want to just because they lack feathers, I'm very attached to them, but I don't know if it's bad in the long run for sunburn or exposed skin that could be injured easily.

Either way I'm at a loss. I can get pictures tomorrow if need be.

Hey! There are certain feeds with higher protein and other probiotics that are made for chickens who are regrowing feathers. You should check to see if the hens are losing their feathers due to mounting, or self, or another bird is, picking at their feathers. However, when it is on their backs, it is typically from roosters. Overall, I would recommend buying a higher protein diet. Nutrena NatureWise Feather Fixer Pellet is a brand of feed that many people have liked and it helps their chickens.

 

[bobbi-j]

The feathers may not grow back in until they have molted.

 

[RobinGel]

No, I wouldn't cull them!
The bare backs & wings are from being overmated. As long as they are being mated the feathers won't grow back. The bare skin will turn darker & more red when they're in the sun, especially with a higher UV index in the afternoons.

I would separate them from the rooster but then you run the risk of the other hens being overmated.