Bare bottom (not a nice picture included)

[Rennie]

My SLW has a weird condition that ive recently noticed, Her back end is completely bald, I have just moved her in with 2 other bantams and she seems to be the dominant one of the 3, so i dont think its being pulled out by the others. There are also no feathers in the coop she is in so im thinking she must be pulling them out and maybe eating them? .. why would she do this?

Ive also noticed that she keeps sneezing, could this be related or is it just a coincedence that they are both happening at the same time.

I can post picture if needed but they wouldnt be nice to look at

 

[Judy]

Usually when this happens, the others are pulling the feathers and eating them, either because they are too crowded or because they need more protein.

 

[Rennie]

I dont think either of those are an issue if im honest .. they have layers pellets mixed with various corn and wheat and they have more space than the others

 

[crawfordmama]

Ouch! Feather eating can be the result of a need for more protein. The corn and wheat aren't really providing them with any extra protein. I supplement my layer feed with some Calf Manna during the winter months to make up for the lack of bugs and other natural sources of protein. It's relatively inexpensive. Give it a try. It made a big difference for my flock.

Her sneezing could just be from dust in the coop. If you haven't noticed any discharge in her eyes or nostrils, and she appears to be in good condition (other than her bare bottom) it's probably not a big deal.

Good luck!

 

[purpletree23]

If she is eating them it is a lack of protein in her diet. Good sources of protein are scrambled eggs I use grocery store eggs, cottage cheese, leftover meat like chicken or beef that I cut up fine.

She also might be pulling them out because she is irritated by lice or mites. Check her very closely. The mites can look like black pepper and the lice will be at the base of the feather shaft near the skin and will be whitish in color or you might see a cluster of lice eggs.

 

[Rennie]

thanks crawfordmama ill have a look and see if i can find that around here, I am assuming she is eating the feathers because i dont find any at all in or around where she is .. as for the sneezing, it is only sneezing that she is doing her beak and eyes are clean and she looks healthy in all other ways,

Same with the mites I have checked her very closely because her sister died from red mites while she was broody, they more or less sucked her dry, This one however is clean from them, red black white you name it lol - Im detemined to never loose another chicken if i can phsyically help it ..


I do feed all my chickens leftovers from my house and the neighbours so there is deffinatly a wide variety of protein rich foods going to them

 

[ailurophile23]

I was having problems with feather eating - switched the girls from layer feed to Flock Raiser (higher protein) and it stopped. I just make sure they have access to oyster shell.