Bare red raw skin and broken feathers

[CluckyChook]

I have just taken possesion of a couple of chooks, 2 mature Isa Reds. They are both laying eggs quite happily but one of them is looking very sorry for herself. She is bright and feeding OK but has red raw skin and has lost about 40% of her feathers. I'm pretty sure she is not moulting as there are no feathers falling out of her and there is also no new budding feathers coming through where her skin is red and bare. I can see no signs of mites, lice or fleas and some of her mature feather have broken off 1/2 way down the shaft. The bare skin is on patches, some under the wing, some on her lower neck, and not very thick covering around her shaft or undercarrage (it's odd)

I'm at a loss, I have a very healthy flock so have not had to deal with many diseases and can't find any reference to this - Any ideas as to what it is ?

So far I have wormed them, pest dusted them and used some E45 cream to relief the discomfort she must be in with a couple of drops of T tree and lavender mixed in - any other suggestions ?

I think they have been confined and the ex-owner did tell me that she lost her other 2 chooks recently. Needless to say she and her friend are staying well away from my happy healthy flock untill this is sorted.

Thanks for reading and replying

 

[sonew123]

were they overmated with previous owners?

 

[Mattemma]

I was thinking mating or pecking too. I would bring in my hens with major bare spots to give them time to heal. Sprayed some BLU KOTE on them,or used triple antibiotic cream. Might have even used Herbs for kids super salve.

 

[Lollipop]

Overmating comes to mind first, but there could be a lack of body oil causing the brittle feathers and perhaps a little increase in protien would be benneficial. As for the red bare spots, any exposed chicken skin will turn red. It`s not raw, or uncomfortable, just a natural change that happens to exposed chicken skin. If it were my hen, I would supplement the oil in her feed with some fish oil and some BOSS. Good luck with her........Pop

 

[CMV]

CluckyChook- Tea tree oil is toxic if ingested. Very toxic. My only recommendation is that you don't use it on any small animals.

Good luck.

 

[CluckyChook]

Thanks so much for your replies

I will add oil and a little bit of lean kangaroo meat to her diet and see how she goes.

They are from a suburban backyard laying flock so pretty sure she has never seen a rooster and I appreciate the comment on red/raw skin, I'm glad that it looks worse than it is ! Thanks also for telling me about T tree, I know it's a powerfull oil and I use a very weak dilution for all my animals minor wounds and scratches. I wanted to make sure that the raw bits of her skin don't get invaded by bacteria due to any stress of moving, if it gets any worse I will go and get some chicken approved antibacterial cream from the local produce store.

I have a very healthy flock of 10 chooks (at the moment), mixed purpose, and have never dealt with a skin issue like this before so thanks again chook lovers I hope I can improve this girls life.

P.S.she's been named 'scruffy chook'......not very origional I know !

 

[CluckyChook]

Any ideas on the cause ? Has anyone come across a chicken with an alergy to bedding ?

Thanks

 

[trailchick]

I use emu oil if there is any worry of ingestion on wounds...
Great healing properties!!!!
There are alot of testimonials for it RE: large open equine wounds, &
I can attest to that, bc it penetrates to the bone,
although it is expensive at the health food store I generally buy it on ebay.

I adopted a couple of turkeys- Bourbon reds & their feet are getting very red due to the
cold and snow cover here right now, but I have not treated them.
I will if they look to have frostbite with black /blue looking skin.

Also wasnt it Vasoline people posted to prevent frostbite on combs and such???
Some may not want to use petrobase oils, so I would recomend what I put in my lotion bars-
Shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, with beeswax, and some propolis-
totally natural...
good luck - let us know how this turns out

 

[Janithya]

Hi. I have a hen I got 3 weeks ago with exactly the same problem as this. Lots of her feathers are broken off half way and she has lost other and has exposed red skin. I can't see any mites. Just wondering if you ever figured out what was wrong with your girl?

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Hi. I have a hen I got 3 weeks ago with exactly the same problem as this. Lots of her feathers are broken off half way and she has lost other and has exposed red skin. I can't see any mites. Just wondering if you ever figured out what was wrong with your girl?

Hi Janithya!
Where did you get this chicken?
Knowing her background would help.
If feathers are broken they will not regrow until the chicken next molts.
Have you a high protein feed for her? It will help with feather growth.

Some photos of the chicken would help get you suggestions from people here.