Bare butts... what is going on? (PICS)

[harleyjo]

My girls are a year old now. I have never seen this before. A few of them have bare butts. What might this be and what do I do to fix it?

This is my buff orp.

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[/img] Black sexlink

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I will say I have never seen a bug on my chickens. They don't like for me to handle them at all so it is tough to get a hold of them. I can get them but it is a job and the rooster is impossible. He was not raised here his first few months and I have never even held him.

 

[Judy]

Some of mine mind being handled less than others, but I never have trouble picking them up off the roost after dark, even the rooster. I recommend a small head lamp. I would definitely start with a check for lice/mites, or treat them for them with Eprinex -- 0.5 ml from a needleless syringe on the neck skin, up under the feathers, and it's done. Half the dose if you have any bantams.

They could also be in need of more protein or more space. Here are some threads to read:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=472405

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=34705

 

[chickbone]

Does one of the roost sit above another? Had that once and the hens were pulling the feathers out of the hens on the top roost. Moved the roosts level and after the next molt, no problems.

 

[harleyjo]

Yes, the roosts are like a ladder, one rung and then another one but they are like a stairstep and they angle up.

 

[harleyjo]

This is the roost.

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[harleyjo]

Does anyone else have any ideas?

 

[Peppermint]

It looks like something is chewing off their feathers. Any possiblility of rats getting in the coop at night?

 

[harleyjo]

I don't think rats, out coop is new last year and is secure. I wonder if my feed is the problem. It is not all of them, only a few of them. I like Kent feed but I am not always able to get it. So I have to use Purinia and sometimes I was mixing cracked corn with it. Maybe they weren't getting enough protein. I bought some Sevin dust today if it is needed.

 

[Peppermint]

Are they all on the same roost? Like the bottom or top one? That might give a clue as to where the source of the problem is.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Some hens will do that when they are laying. I had a hen in the past that would walk around all summer like that - when she would lay an egg, she would pull her feathers out around her backside and under her belly. I guess she was either hot or weird. Or both.