birds loosing feathers

[jmrbee]

Advice is needed - Our 4 barred rock - I believe that's what they are, gray/black w/ white, have been loosing their feathers on their backside, right before their tail feathers begin. We think it's from them pecking at each other. Our other 8 hens are fine. We've recently added a rooster who looks pretty young. In the week that we've had him, he's lost feathers around his bottom, just below his tail feathers, an entire ring around his tail is bare skin. Any idea what's going on? They have plenty of roaming space in their pen and coop. The girls were able to get out and roam around every so often, but that didn't seem to make a difference. I do see/hear the 4 barred rocks squabbling once in a while. Any ideas? Are the eggs still safe to eat?
-jmrbee

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

Check the skin carefully in the affected areas for lice or mites.

How much space do your birds have? Minimal space recommendations are for 4 square feet of floor space indoors, and 10 square feet of pen per bird.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad to have you aboard.

 

[Rebel Soldier]

Check out my article on proper care for brood fowl. Roosters will tread hens until they bleed, and hens will literally eat the feathers off the cock if proper nutrients arent being met. Put the rooster on a tie cord and turn the hens loose until the moult is over. It will add years to their lives. I also posted the recipie for a 40 yr proven mite and louse salve you can make at home.

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[liz9910]

from California!

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Glad you joined us!

 

[Red Barn Farms]

Howdy jmrbee,

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, jmrbee, and

! Happy you joined us. Best of luck with your feather problem!

 

[CayugaLover]

! i would suggest that you put each injured bird into a separate cage/pen to heal and grow back feathers without any other birds pulling out more (if that's what's happening.) i'm sorry i can't help you more!